Speaking during the closing session, the Gambia’s Ambassador to Turkey, Momodou Badjie, challenged the students to be committed to their academic work, and take advantage of the opportunities given to them.
“The Gambia and Turkey have lot of similarities in terms of religion and hospitality,” he said, and challenged the students to learn from the Turkish development experience.
Mr. Badjie commended the Turkish Ministry of Youth and Sports for their contribution toward the success of the programme.
He further applauded the students who rendered their efforts in making the event a memorable one.
Ebrima S. Njie, president of AGAST, said the association was formed in December 2010 to facilitate and enhance the timely registration and documentation of all new students from The Gambia at their various universities in Turkey.
He added that his association also provides financial assistance to students in need in the form of interest-free loans.
This year’s meeting; according to Njie, has been organized through the support of the Turkish Ministry of Youths and Sport.
The event included lectures on strategic issues such as International Leadership skills and Intercultural tolerance and communication.
“This will accord students the opportunity to acquaint themselves with different cultures and values, and enable them to coexist with other nationalities,” he noted.
Njie also thanked the Turkish Ministry of Youths and Sport and the staff of the embassy of The Gambia in Ankara for their support.
Also in attendance at the closing ceremony were the deputy Ambassador to Turkey, Sering Modou Njie, the deputy Director General of the Department for Education and Cultural Research at the Turkish Ministry of Youth and Sports, Nersin Erde, the Director of Education in the same Ministry, Rahmi Aksoy and Associate Prof. Dr. Zekeriya Mizirak of Necmettin Erbakan University in Konya.
