Africa-Press – Gambia. The Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MOHERST) on Tuesday launched the National Stakeholder Engagement and Requirements Gathering Workshop under the Tertiary and Higher Education Trust (THET) Fund, aimed at producing graduates ready for the labor market.
The event, held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre, brought together government officials, university vice-chancellors, industry leaders, civil society representatives, students, and development partners.
In her keynote address, Permanent Secretary Isatou Auber stressed the importance of inclusive and responsive education systems. She noted that while thousands of young graduates emerge weekly worldwide, many face challenges transitioning into employment or entrepreneurship.
“The THET Fund reflects our ministry’s commitment to strengthening the link between education, skills development, and national productivity,” she said, urging participants to engage in co-creating solutions for workforce readiness.
Muhammed Jah, Chairman of the THET Fund Board, highlighted the need for practical, industry-aligned learning environments. He emphasized that modern laboratories, workshops, digital classrooms, and research facilities are essential for producing graduates who can contribute immediately to industry.
“If graduates must be retrained in the workplace, we are wasting time and resources. This fund allows us to invest in infrastructure, inclusive access, and skills development that empower our youth to thrive,” he said.
Minister Professor Pierre Gomez underscored the role of higher education in national transformation. He called for closer collaboration between academia and industry, noting that the success of graduates is key to national progress.
“Our objective is to produce skilled, adaptable, and industrious citizens who can drive innovation, create jobs, and contribute to sustainable development. This requires partnership, shared responsibility, and education that bridges the gap between learning and employment,” he said.
The workshop serves as a platform to identify skills gaps, strengthen institutional capacity, and foster public-private partnerships, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for the workforce.
MOHERST reaffirmed its commitment to equipping Gambian graduates with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities needed to succeed, emphasizing that meaningful change requires collaboration among government, academia, industry, students, civil society, and communities.
The launch of the THET Fund workshop marks a step toward developing a generation of capable, employable, and industry-ready graduates who can contribute to national development.
