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Momodou
Denmark
11833 Posts |
 Posted - 24 Mar 2007 : 15:29:54
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171 GRADUANDS AT UTG 3RD CONVOCATION CEREMONY
By Isatou Bittaye
The University of the Gambia on Saturday, 17 March, 2007 held its 3rd convocation ceremony at the Independence Stadium in Bakau. The University registered 171 graduands this year, and these include 11 medical doctors. The total number of graduands of the University of the Gambia since its inception in 1999 stands at 473. The ceremony was attended by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sierra Leone, guests from Canada, Professor Lingras and Mrs. Heidi Taylor, both from St. Mary’s University in Halifax.
In delivering his address, the Vice-Chancellor of the UTG, Professor Andreas Ludvig Steigen indicated that the class of 2005 is good according to the response they get from employers. Professor Steigen urged the graduands to be honest. He indicated that the abilities and astuteness they (the graduands) developed through university education and university life should help them meet new challenges and enable them apply a flexible approach to knowledge generation and diffusion. Professor Steigen further said the education should provides them with knowledge and skills much needed in The Gambia, and urged the graduands to take responsibilities bestowed upon them by their superiors seriously. He added that the graduands must be firm and flexible in their work and never misuse their power, noting that it is not only important to be morally strong, but one must also win trust. He indicated that mistakes are bound to be made by everybody, but that those who do not make mistakes are doing very little at all. Proffessor Steigen indicated that UTG in collaboration with the Department of State for Education have started “access classes” for girls covering five senior secondary school subjects. He added that the WASSCE results of 2006 showed that less than 8% of the candidates are qualified to enter UTG and only 20% of the students are women; that in the department of medicine 42% are females. Professor Steigen noted that UTG is an undergraduate University conferring bachelor’s degrees, but that it is working to develop Master’s programmes soon. Professor Steigen indicated that through the establishment of the new Department of State for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, UTG will get new opportunities to strengthen tertiary education, research, science and technology.
On his part, the Secretary of State for Higher Education, Research, Sciences and Technology, Mr Crispin Grey-Johnson said that agriculture, fisheries, service sector, IT, trade and industry, including the petroleum and gas industry are all projected to grow exponentially in the years ahead. Crispin Grey-Johnson further said that if an engineer is trained, one would need to train four technicians and ten skilled workers to enable that engineer perform effectively. SoS Johnson added that for each doctor trained, eight para-medical personnel including technicians and nurses would also have to be trained. Hon. Grey Johnson indicated that since the priority for the education sector now extends to the university level, Government shall in no way neglect training at lower levels. He said the National Training Authority will be further strengthened and fully empowered to ensure that it fulfills the entire objective for which it was created.
The Secretary of State noted that re-positioning higher education for the transformation of this nation calls for a shift of emphasis in favour of Mathematics, the sciences and technology. SoS Johnson said that at present, government scholarship policy is biased in favour of Mathematics and of scientific and technological disciplines. He added that the effectiveness of teaching and learning at a higher level depends on how well students were prepared at the lower level, noting that government will assign special priority to the preparation of teachers for basic and secondary education institutions. Hon. Grey-Johnson indicated that the quality of teacher education and training shall be strengthened and elevated to the highest standards inorder to prepare children for higher quality study and research at the University and other tertiary institutions.
In his valedictory address, Mr. Marvin J. Gomez, the valedictorian of the class of 2006 said that “Many are called but few are chosen.” He said the few that are chosen should never say “Never again.” as the road to success is fraught with difficulties. Mr. Gomez added that “the road to success is not too far because at the end of all the struggles you will reap the fruit of your labour.” The valedictorian indicated that a residential campus will cut down costs of transportation and accord the students a friendlier atmosphere for learning. He appealed to all stakeholders to come on board to support the noble cause. He said that Gambians must now wake up to the reality that the university is a credible tuition provider and must be duly respected.
Mr. Gomez indicated that now academic qualification may not be the only prerequisite for appointments, promotions and financial compensation. He said many of his colleagues especially in the civil service, had complained about their lack of promotion many years after graduating from the UTG. He appealed to the Public Service Commission to give this issue the attention it deserves inorder to stave off the brain drain that is often experienced in Third-World Countries.
Mr. Gomez challenged that all Gambians, both at home and abroad, to put all hands on deck in the attempt to cross the divide and establish dialogue, understanding and mutual respect. Gomez noted that if we are ever to build a World Community characterized by peace, justice and the fulfillment of basic human needs, we must find ways of living with diversity and learn from each other. He urged his fellow graduands to serve humanity and be true to all its values.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 34/2007, 23 – 25 March 2007
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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