Government officials meet Shaw University top brass

A high-power delegation from the Shaw University accompanied to The Gambia by the Gambian Ambassador-at-Large Ebrima JT Kujabi based in Washington DC were over the weekend met by senior government officials, including the Minister of Information, Communications Infrastructure Alagie Cham, Minister of Fisheries and Water Resources and National Assembly Matters, Lamin Kaba Bajo, and the Minister of Higher Education Research Science and Technology, Dr. Momodou Tangara, among other, high-ranking government officials at a task force meeting held at Ocean Bay Resort in Cape Point, Bakau.

According to officials, the visit was meant to propose the possibility of the start of the African initiative on education in The Gambia, as well as the desire to establish a communication centre in The Gambia.

Both officials held a session where they discussed the structure of the IT centre which will comprise an advisory board and staff, all of whom will be Gambians (i.e. a Director, 2 recruiters, 1 Accountant, 1 IT expert security), who will be trained in Shaw information centre in Abuja, Nigeria at Shaw cost.

Speaking at the task force meeting, Minister Momodou Tangara of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, said they will map out a strategy to work with Shaw University, while commending Ambassador JT Kujabi for spearheading the visit.

Dr. Tangara said education occupies a centre stage in President Jammeh's agenda as a clear indication for his love for education, adding that the worst disease affecting Africans is the lack of access to education, which he added, is tantamount to ignorance.  

He said though Africa has resources to emancipate, educate and enlighten its peoples, little is still done. He revealed that the Shaw University is one of the oldest black universities in the world, while assuring the delegation of government's support at all times.

For his part, Dr. Lee Monroe, the Vice-President of Institutional Advancement and Sponsor Programme, at the Shaw University in North Caroline gave a brief account of the university, noting that it was set to educate black Africans in 1865, whom he said, were stolen and brought to America.

Dr. Lee Monroe, also a retired Headmaster noted that they want to institutionalise their university with other African countries like The Gambia, as they have centres in some parts of Africa including Nigeria.

Speaking earlier, Dr. Michael Umeadi, Assistant Professor and Director of Global Initiatives at Shaw University briefed the meeting about their visit and future plans of the university in the areas of institutionalisation and reaching out to their African borders.

Dr. Umeasi said after reading about the President's love for education, they decided to come to The Gambia to establish an IT centre, and then spoke about their intention to partner with the University of the Gambia in divergent areas of concern.

Dr. Monrore further told journalists that the outcome of their discussion with government officials was fruitful, noting that they held discussions on how to forge relation with the University of the Gambia.

He said the discussions have yielded dividend, while expressing hope that they would further partner on other areas of co-operation. These, he stated, will cover the signing of MOU and student mobility.