The 13th UTG Convocation that witnessed the graduation of 973 students, was graced by only students, lecturers and a few high dignitaries including President Adama Barrow.
Since establishment by an Act of National Assembly, history was made on Saturday as University of The Gambia for the first time conferred a doctorate on home grown doctors.
Among them are five candidates who were conferred doctorate degrees becoming the first students ever to be conferred with such honour by the UTG.
Addressing the gathering during the ceremony, the vice chancellor of the University of The Gambia Prof Faqir Muhammad Anjum expressed his delight at the historic occasion.
Part of these graduants (sic) are our first five cohort of home grown PhD candidates,” the UTG Vice Chancellor said.
“We will make history today by conferring the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Public Administration on these five gallant candidates who have followed the prescribed course of study and passed the prescribed examinations.”
Prof Anjum said students of the UTG underwent the prerequisites and have been trained enough to meet expectations while adding, “have equipped our graduates with relevant skills and we believe they are competent and globally competitive.”
President Adama Barrow in challenging the graduating class to be more critical of issues surrounding us as a nation while contributing in nation development, expressed his delight over the achievements the UTG has over the years registered. He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to prioritising education.
“My government acknowledges the significant strides registered in the higher education sector over the last couple of years. Not to mention other qualifications, The Gambia can now boast of many Masters and PhD degree holders who live in the country or outside,” President Barrow said.
He added: “We appreciate these achievements, and I assure you that education will always be given top priority by the Government.”
