By: Sering Mass Jallow
Gambia government on Friday, 17 April held a scholarship award ceremony for beneficiaries from local communities in the West Coast Region.
The Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MOHERST) organized the programme for beneficiaries in Tujereng, Pirang and Faraba Banta.
The ceremony forms part of the RISE project, funded by the World Bank, aimed at establishing technical and vocational education and training (TVET) centres of excellence and strengthening community capacity development.
The event brought together National Assembly members, local government officials, community leaders, and officials from MOHERST and the University of The Gambia.
Delivering the keynote address, the Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Professor Pierre Gomez, described the occasion as “gratifying”, expressing appreciation to the communities for their support in establishing learning institutions. He says the initiative is intended to promote skills development, employment creation, poverty reduction and economic growth.
He noted that the first phase of the five-year programme will sponsor 30 students, with a total of 150 students expected to benefit over the duration of the initiative.
The scholarship awards, he added, underscored government’s commitment to expanding access to quality tertiary education and supporting community development initiatives.