Nineteen Gambian graduates recently returned from the Bolivarian
Republic of Venezuela after a completing a five-year international studies
programme in various professional courses.
The courses are BSc-sports management, BSc-agriculture, BSc-civil construction, BSc-mechanical engineering and BSc-electrical engineering, under grants of the “Programm of the International Students in the Bolivarian Republic Venezuela” through the foundation “Gran Mariscalde Ayacucho”.
Receiving the graduates at a reception at the Venezuelan Embassy at Kotu recently, Ambassador Eduardo Medina Rubio thanked the graduates for their commitment and personal efforts in achieving their goal over the five years.
Ambassador Rubio said the grants have become a successful educational effort, and added that the programme will continue to under the cooperation agreement with The Gambia.
He reaffirmed Venezuela’s commitment to solidarity and intensification of efforts to eradicate poverty and other social problems, with special attention to the vulnerable.
Ambassador Rubio added that it is a commitment to solidarity which falls within the framework of the social policies and the concerns of the Gambia government and people.
He noted the Gambia’s priority areas in agriculture, as seen in the phrase: “Eat what you grow and grow what you eat”; and the focus on developing the rural and urban areas through their inclusion in national projects.
The permanent secretary at the Ministry of Higher Education, Research Science and Technology, Dr Cherno Omar Barry, spoke of the government’s interest in the education Gambians, and urged the graduates to serve as ambassadors of both nations.
Dr. Barry added that the various courses were carefully selected by the two nations, and were deemed relevant for the development of The Gambia.
A BSc holder in civil construction, Lamin B. Ceesay, gave the vote of thanks, and thanked both governments for their support.