American
International University (AIU) West Africa has signed an agreement with the
University of Utah School of Medicine, an American-based medical school widely
recognised for interdisciplinary research in the genetics of disease,
infectious diseases, cancer, and other areas of medicine.
The agreement, signed on Wednesday at AIU’s Kairaba Avenue campus, will enable The Gambia-based university to tap from the pool of resources of Utah university for better performance of AIU.
Dr Dinesh Shukla, president of AIU West Africa, said the university started with five students but now has more than 500 students from various African countries on different fields of studies.
He thanked the Gambian leader, President Yahya Jammeh, “for his guidance and support” in ensuring that AIU provides academic excellence for students.
Dr Shukla also thanked the ministry of Higher Education for providing them the enabling environment to operate.
The AIU president noted that it is tough for the university and the students as they do not have adequate resources, compared to other institutions offering similar courses.
He said they are partnering with Utah School of Medicine on wide areas that would place AIU on a higher pedestal.
Dr Shukla said that at AIU, they always prioritise the welfare of students because they want any student who leaves the university be well-paced in the world.
Madi O. Jatta, deputy permanent secretary, Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, said: “AIU has all the ingredients and brilliant minds to produce a powerful workforce of professionals that would usher in a new age of rapid development.”
Mr Jatta said the ministry of Higher Education will continue to support and create an enabling environment for AIU in its quest to dispense higher education service delivery in The Gambia.
He noted that the agreement between Utah and AIU has direct relevance to The Gambia’s education agenda; therefore the ministry is in full support of it.
Each of the two universities in the agreement has something to offer, Mr Jatta said while urging the parties to ensure the agreement is implemented as soon as possible.
Professor Mark J. Harris, chairman of education committee and anesthesia director, Center for Global Surgery, said they are impressed with what they saw at AIU and are looking forward to further collaborate with the institution.
Michael Bahrens, medical director of Post Anesthesia Care United, said he was most impressed with AIU’s commitment to academic excellence standards.
