Africa-Press – Gambia. President Adama Barrow of The Gambia, who also chairs the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), on Monday, inaugurated Al Hikma University, describing the institution as a source of national pride and a significant milestone in the country’s higher education landscape.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, President Barrow said the university would open new educational pathways for Gambians and reinforce national efforts to expand access to quality higher education.
The President welcomed the guests to the inauguration, which he described as a historic event while congratulating the Gambia Islamic Union on what he called a “remarkable achievement” in advancing education.
The president expressed gratitude to the Islamic Solidarity Fund of the OIC for sponsoring and supporting the project, and paid tribute to the OIC Secretariat and its member states for their moral, financial, and technical contributions.
President Barrow said the establishment of Al Hikma University reflects the enduring values of unity, knowledge, and progress within the Islamic Ummah.
He added that the institution is expected to serve as a centre of academic excellence grounded in Islamic values, ethics, and culture.
He stressed that education remains central to societal development, noting that the alignment between the university’s mission, the OIC’s objectives, and The Gambia’s national vision would empower young people, promote intellectual leadership, and drive socio-economic transformation across OIC member states.
Reaffirming his government’s commitment to the Education Sector Policy 2016–2030, President Barrow said the policy prioritises access, quality, and relevance through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), research, and digital learning.
He highlighted the National Madrassah Integration Strategy (GMIS) 2025–2029 as a key component of the policy, aimed at harmonising traditional Islamic education with the conventional system by integrating TVET, STEM, and digital literacy programmes into madrassahs.
According to him, these reforms are aligned with The Gambia’s National Development Plan (Yiriwa 2023–2027), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
President Barrow said linking Arabic and Islamic religious education with secular subjects would ease the transition of madrassah students into higher institutions, describing Al Hikma University as a major step towards realising the National Madrassah Integration Strategy.
While underscoring the university’s role in preserving Islamic knowledge and values, he urged the institution to also promote entrepreneurship, scientific innovation, and leadership to enable young people to address global challenges.
The president disclosed that Al Hikma University is the fourth Islamic university established with OIC support, following similar institutions in Bangladesh, Uganda, and Niger.
He, therefore, appealed to the OIC to continue supporting the university to help it reach its full potential.
He also commended The Gambia Islamic Union for six decades of service in education, advocacy, and guidance, noting his long-standing association with the organisation.
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