(Monday October 10, 2016 Issue)
American
International University, West Africa (AIUWA) on 7 October 2016 held its second
Graduation Ceremony, at the Kairaba Beach Hotel.
The
graduating class of 2016 consisted of 54 nurses with specialization in various
disciplines such as Anesthesia, Midwifery, and Psychiatry.
In
his keynote address on the occasion, the minister of Health and Social Welfare
highlighted AIUWA’s contribution to The Gambia in educating and training
Gambian nurses on full scholarship provided by the AIUWA.
He
thanked AIUWA for providing full scholarships to Gambians.
He
said the AIUWA, with such noble assistance in offering scholarships as its
offers sound education to students, the institution would go from strength to
strength.
He
said scholarship is one of the major challenges as the Health sector strives to
build the capacity of nurses as well as qualified and trained personnel.
Hon.
Sey also thanked President Yahya Jammeh for his leadership, saying: “To keep up
with the population growth, with combating diseases like Ebola and Zika
viruses, the challenges are enormous. However, The Gambia has been blessed by
the leadership of President Jammeh for providing healthcare to all citizens in
all parts of the country.”
Concluding
the health minister advised graduates to put their skills and knowledge to
work; be truthful, compassionate and humble; continue their pursuit of
knowledge, be leaders in their field as well as work hard.
AIUWA
president Dinesh Shukla, president thanked the Gambia government for providing
an environment conducive to set up the AI University in The Gambia.
He
especially thanked the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and
Technology for “their unflinching and invaluable support”.
AIUWA
signed an agreement in 2010 and started enrollment in 2011, he said, adding
that AIUWA consists of 6 colleges at 3 campuses.
With
a current enrolment of more than 700 students from 16 countries, the AIUWA is
set to complete in a few months its permanent campus being built at Kanifing
Institutional Area.
The
AIUWA president remarked that their mission is to bring world class education
to citizens of the African continent.
“We
want to set up The Gambia as the home of education,” he said.
According
to Dr Shukla all their achievements would not have been possible without the
guidance, support and wisdom of President Jammeh.
Speakers
on the occasion included Nursing Council Registrar Alasana Darboe, AIUWA
director Shukla and Momodou Musa Barrow.
Amarachi
Madueke delivered the valedictorian speech.
The
event was well attended by many heads of institutions and other dignitaries
from the government, the public, private and civil society sectors.