The University of the Gambia (UTG) on Wednesday 5th May 2010 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Szent Istvan University in Hungary, at a ceremony held at the university campus in Brikama.
According to officials, Szent Istvan is a well-known university in the field of Agricultural Science, which has led to the co-operation.
The MoU focuses on Agricultural Science and Environmental Science subjects, aimed at contributing to the conservation of a sustainable environment.
As part of the agreement, it also includes scholarship change programmes, as well as change of lecturers between the two universities.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Gambia, Professor Muhammed Kah thanked the Hungarian for honouring their invitation to The Gambia.
He said Hungary is a country well-known in good educational system, thus the quest to work with them.
Professor Kah futher disclosed that Agriculture is one of the most important priorities of The Gambia government.
He added that through the collaboration the university will also send lecturers to build their capacity and competent in the field of Agricultural practices.
He noted that, they also plan to introduce new agricultural technologies in field Agricultural Engineer irrigation, degree programmer as well as the management of water resources.
For his part, Professor Dr. Sandor Csanyi from the University of Szent Istvan hailed the government of the Gambia for their invitation noting that the forum is a good opportunity to establish co-operation.
He also revealed expressed on the co-operation on the side of the university of the Gambia adding that the MoU will help to establish a close relationship in the co-operation.
According to him, they have realised that agriculture is a very important in the Gambia just like in Hungary. He added that in the in the past years agriculture has become a top priority in their country. The future of human Kind and a nation depends on Agriculture he asserted. He finally said that the MoU is a skeleton for their further relationship and hoping that in the next month co-operation on food can also be develop.
The permanent mission of the Republic of the Gambia and also the Minister Counsellor Alternate Permanent Representative to UNIDO, CTBTO Dr. Gaspargulyas said that the Gambia has a good relationship with Hungary since 1997. He added that as a result, the Gambia is choosing as partners because their country is very good in agricultural technology transfer in which the Gambia is in need of. He added that the co-operation is needed for both countries even though they are not several miles apart but see each other as one.
