By Adama Jallow
The American International University West Africa (AIUWA) officially welcomed its Spring 2026 intake on Saturday with an orientation program at its Kanifing campus.
The event brought together students, faculty, and administrators for over two hours of guidance, advice, and key announcements. New students enrolled in programs including nursing, pharmacy, public health, social work, business administration, accounting, computer science, and information technology.
Deputy Vice Chancellor Dr. Ben opened the ceremony, emphasizing discipline, time management, and responsible conduct. “You are now university students. We expect maturity, proper conduct, and full use of academic facilities,” he said.
Dr. Ukoka, Head of Basic Sciences, outlined the university’s assessment system, covering attendance, assignments, mid-trimester exams, quizzes, and final examinations. He warned that AIUWA’s grading system is stricter than most Gambian universities, with grade A starting at 90%. “Your GPA starts building from Monday. If you aim for postgraduate studies abroad, your transcript begins taking shape now,” he said.
For pre-professional students, Dr. Ukoka detailed advanced courses in biology, chemistry, and physics during the first three trimesters before moving into specialized programs.
Dr. Tanko of the Pharmacy Department introduced the core courses for the PharmD and Pharmacy Technician programs, stressing the clinical and practical nature of the profession. “We don’t joke with exams or malpractice. You are being trained to work with human lives,” he said.
Nursing programs were presented by Dr. Lamin Camara, who highlighted discipline, dedication, and practical placements at major hospitals. Students were reminded that graduation requires a minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.0 and passing the national licensing exam.
Veteran journalist Madam Fatou Camara encouraged students to embrace education as a gateway to opportunity. “Healthcare is needed everywhere. Your future begins now,” she said.
Student Union Vice President Jainaba Gomez urged students to take ownership of their academic journey and highlighted ongoing initiatives, including health screenings, internships, and community outreach programs.
Chancellor and Founding President Mr. Dinesh Shukla concluded the orientation with announcements of an upcoming AI-powered teaching assistant and fully funded study-abroad opportunities in Europe for six outstanding students. “You are the future of this continent. We believe in you, and we will give you the tools—but you must do the work,” he said.