The Architectural Students Association of the Gambia Technical Training Institute (GTTI) on Friday 3rd June 2011 organised the first-ever student architecture and art exhibition at the GTTI construction department main hall.
The exhibition which was aimed at exposing the talents of the students to their fellow students, the staff, professionals in the field, and the general public showed the architectural draughtmanship of the students.
They also exhibited their art and architecture work, including drawings and models from this school year, since according to them, "art is the backbone of architecture."
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the three-day art exhibition, the Director General of GTTI, Abdoulie M.A. Loum, expressed pleasure to welcome all to the exhibition of works executed by the architectural draughtmanship students.
Mr Loum also elaborated on the significance and relevance of the event, which is geared towards the personal development of the students, as well as institutional development.
He said: "It is a widely accepted fact that a knowledge-based economic system is essential to the development aspirations of any nation, and this can be achieved through effective and well-implemented policies in technical and vocational education and training and the total and sustained commitment by all stakeholders."
He added that, since human resources constitute the ultimate basis for the wealth of nations, their ultimate goal at GTTI is to develop the middle level human resources requirements of this country, adding that there has been a tremendous acceleration in the development of knowledge and skills in various disciplines at GTTI during this period of technological change, especially for the construction industry.
Mr Loum stated that the exhibition on the works of the students will boost the morale of both the staff and students of the Construction Department and other departments to willingly contribute significantly to the development of the institute.
"We all know that investment in infrastructural design is one of the main constraints to further the expansion and improvement of the system's in the Gambian constriction industry," he said, adding that, "despite this GTTI has been concerned with qualitative technological human resources development that is directed towards achieving a pool of skilled and self-reliant craftsmen, technicians and technologists for both the private and public sectors of the economy."
"At GTTI we have not only concentrated in the professional development of our students through the delivery of the curriculum and subject matter, but we have also inculcated in them work values and attitudes such as creativity and adaptability, commitment, freedom and responsibility, accountability, the spirit of service, and genuine love for work itself," he noted.
He said, "the main aim of this course is to adequately prepare the students to acquire the skills, competence and abilities to be creative by using their imagination and understanding of the broader context of the society and the environment and the opportunity to develop personally and professionally."
He concluded by congratulating both the staff and students of the Architectural Draughtsmanship Section, the Head of Department and staff of the Construction Department and the entire Management Team.
Others speakers at the occasion included Ousman Nyang, Director National Training Authority (NTA), Ghazi Farage, President of Architectural Students Association, Bakary Gibba, representative head of the construction department, Ms Aminata Hydara, head of section, Architectural Draughtsmanship, Mr Salah Ud Din, representative Sheikh Mafuge Institute of Professional Studies (SMIPS) and Ms Jahou S. Faal, Director Academic who chaired the occasion.
