The
Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MOHERST), in
collaboration with relevant stakeholders, recently convened a daylong
validation forum of the draft tertiary and higher education policy 2013/2022 at
the Paradise Suites Hotel.
In his official opening ceremony on behalf of the permanent secretary, Jerreh Sanyang the deputy permanent secretary for admin and finance at the MOHERST described his ministry as a young ministry working on a lot of documents one of which is science and technology innovation policy and the quality assurance framework.
According to him, all these policies and instruments are supported accordingly and it was necessary to have tertiary and higher education policy.
For his part, director of Tertiary and Higher Education, Musa I. Touray, said the policy of tertiary and higher education was developed and established in 2007.
He noted that in 2009 the funding started with the World Bank and in 2010 all the proposals were prepared and the review of the draft policy took place in 2010, and then the launching in 2011.
He added that globalization in education has put on the agenda, among other complexities, issues of increased cross-border provision of new knowledge, modes of technologies, types of providers and qualification, research, science and innovation, which are very essential.
According to Touray, tertiary and higher education in The Gambia has to respond to these challenges in a global environment characterised by imbalances in wealth, social wellbeing, educational opportunities and resources.
Therefore, he said, sharing knowledge, international cooperation and new technologies can offer opportunities to reduce this gap.
In responding to these challenges, the policy addresses five broad thematic areas, such as sector management, access and equity and relevance, research and development and science, technology and innovation.
He also stated that the vision of the ministry is to play a central role in the transformation of The Gambia into a skills-based economy and knowledge-based society.
He added that the ministry also seeks to establish a tertiary and higher education system of reputable institutions and centres of excellence that will produce well-educated and skilled citizens with the requisite competencies to lead fulfilled lives and compete nationally and globally.
Mr Touray further stated that the goal of the ministry is to provide equitable access to high quality and relevant tertiary and higher education that is suitable and responsive to national and global needs.
According to Mr Touray, the fundamental priority of the Government of The Gambia is for the citizens of The Gambia to be among the most educated and skilled in the world in relation to university studies, research and knowledge diffusion.