30 Gambian Students Bag Taiwanese Scholarship

At least 30 Gambian students drawn from different tertiary institutions in the Gambia last Friday benefited from a scholarship package provided by the Taiwanese government.

This comes barely a few months after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Lung Tung University and the University of the Gambia, to work in different fields of study.

Speaking at an orientation ceremony held at the Paradise Suites Hotel, Richard Shih, the Taiwanese Ambassador to the Gambia revealed that there are a number of good opportunities for Gambian students in Taiwan, saying that Gambia is key in terms of Taiwanese scholarships in Africa.

The Taiwanese diplomat noted that Taiwan is always ready to be associated with the Gambia, noting that the Gambia is a true friend of Taiwan.

He said the environment in Taiwan is friendly and conductive for learning and that the people are also friendly. He urged the students to come back home after their studies and contribute to nation-building.

Addressing Gambian students at the orientation ceremony, Professor Muhammad Kah, the Vice-Chancellor of University of the Gambia reminded the gathering that all Gambians and residents of the Gambia have witnessed tremendous socio-economic development projects, financed by the government of Taiwan.

Prof. Kah said that Taiwan is a generous and noble development partner to the Gambia. As he put it, Taiwan has been instrumental in ensuring the achievement of the President's vision of transforming the Gambia into an economic super power.

He urged other development partners to emulate Taiwan's assistance in the higher education sector and to prioritise support for higher education in the Gambia.

According to Vice-Chancellor Kah, the socio-economic values of this gesture is immeasurable, expressing hope that the students will continue to excel in Taiwan and make Gambia and their sponsors proud.

At the national level, he said a well-educated and highly-skilled labour force is prerequisite for economic growth and socio-economic development.

For his part, Yuspha Dibba, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Higher Education said the latest Taiwanese scholarship package is a clear manifestation that the cardinal bilateral relationship between the Gambia and Taiwan grows from strength to strengthen.

PS Dibba urged the students to be worthy ambassadors of the Gambia and study hard.

Other speakers included Abdoulie Sallah, the Secretary-General and Head of the Civil Service.