Africa-Press – Gambia. The Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology on Wednesday inaugurated the governing boards of three new institutions designed to strengthen the country’s higher education and research systems: the Student Revolving Loan Scheme, the Tertiary and Higher Education Trust Fund, and the National Research and Innovation Fund.
At a ceremony held at the ministry’s headquarters in Bijilo, Professor Pierre Gomez, the minister overseeing higher education, formally inaugurated the boards and praised the newly appointed members for what he described as “a pioneering role” in shaping the country’s education landscape.
“You are entrusted with the noble task of building systems from the ground up—systems that will serve generations of Gambians to come,” Professor Gomez said. He also expressed gratitude to Muhammed Jah, chairman of QGroup, for his donation of 15 million dalasis to support the new higher education funds.
“Come and contribute your quarter to the process of building a new republic. A republic anchored on a highly skilled citizenry,” the minister added.
Speaking on behalf of the Student Revolving Loan Scheme Governing Board, Ernest Reuben Aubee, the newly appointed chairperson, pledged the board’s full commitment to its mandate. He assured that the team would approach this responsibility with seriousness and dedication, recognizing it as both a call to duty and a call to national service.
“The implementation of the scheme will be anchored on the principles of performance, fairness, honesty, transparency, and accountability,” he stated.
Muhammed Jah, who will also serve as chairperson of the Tertiary and Higher Education Trust Fund, called the fund “a national commitment and a visionary step toward empowering Gambians through education, skills, and opportunity.” He said the board would seek to build partnerships with the private sector, development partners, and the diaspora, and would “leverage technology and data to ensure impact and efficiency.”
For his part, Dr. Ebrima Sall, chair of the National Research and Innovation Fund, emphasized that the advancement of research and innovation is essential to national progress and human dignity. “A country’s development must be driven by its own people,” Dr. Sall said. “The responsibility for advancing research and innovation cannot be delegated to others.”
The creation of the three boards, formally approved by President Adama Barrow, marks a significant step in The Gambia’s effort to reform its higher education sector, expand research capacity, and establish sustainable financing for tertiary education.
For More News And Analysis About Gambia Follow Africa-Press
