By: Fatou Krubally
The American International University of West Africa (AIUWA) on Saturday graduated 322 students during its 10th convocation ceremony, while also announcing the expansion of postgraduate programmes aimed at broadening higher education opportunities in The Gambia and across West Africa.
The graduates received qualifications in various disciplines including pharmacy, nursing, medical laboratory science, accounting and finance, business administration, public health and midwifery.
The ceremony attracted government officials, academics, parents, members of the diplomatic corps and students at the university campus.
Speaking at the event, Chancellor Dinesh Shukla congratulated the graduates and urged them to use their education to create opportunities for themselves and others.
He commended President Adama Barrow for what he described as an enabling environment that has supported the university’s growth since its establishment in The Gambia in 2016.
Shukla encouraged graduates to become innovators and entrepreneurs rather than relying solely on white-collar employment.
“I know you are looking for jobs, but look for something that creates more jobs,” he said, urging them to contribute meaningfully to national development.
Vice Chancellor Professor Nwele J. Obasi described the convocation as a major milestone in the university’s academic development.
He announced the introduction of new master’s programmes, including Master’s in Public Health and Master’s in General Nursing, saying the expansion reflects the institution’s shift towards advanced research and postgraduate specialisation.
He also disclosed the launch of additional postgraduate programmes in business administration, management, economics, accounting and finance, information technology and human resource management.
According to him, the programmes are designed to provide students and professionals in the region with access to quality education without leaving the continent.
Representing the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Ndey Fatou Trawally delivered the keynote address, congratulating the graduates and university management on what she described as another milestone for higher education in The Gambia.
She said education should be viewed not only as personal achievement but also as a tool for national development, service and social transformation.
Trawally reaffirmed government commitment to supporting institutions contributing to human capital development and expanding access to higher education.
The valedictorian, Oladapo, thanked the university management, lecturers and parents for their support throughout the academic journey, describing it as one marked by perseverance and determination.
The ceremony also featured remarks from representatives of the Gambia Nurses and Midwives Council and the Pharmacy Council of The Gambia, who urged graduates to uphold professionalism and ethical standards in their respective fields.