In the same development, President Barrow was also conferred the degree of Doctor of the Engineering and Technology (Honoris Causa) by the University.
Funded by the World Bank ACE Impact for Development Project, it includes 12 classrooms, 5 studios, 28 offices, a 250-seat auditorium, a conference meeting room, 15 modern and fully equipped engineering laboratories, and 4 workshops, namely; the Welding, Automotive, Mechanical, and Theory of Machines workshops – all furnished with state-of-the-art machinery and tools.
In his inaugural statement, President Adama Barrow described the occasion not only as an overwhelming development of the tertiary education sector, but also a new chapter in his government’s ambition to transform The Gambia into a knowledge-driven, technologically empowered, and self-reliant nation.
President Barrow thus took his time to thank the Almighty God for the success and further applauded the World Bank for their generous support and foresight.
Through the Africa Centres of Excellence initiative and other key programmes, President Barrow said the World Bank continues to be a valued partner in their development journey.
The new campus, equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, materials, tools, furniture, and teaching aids donated by the Bank, he said, is a tangible example of what effective international cooperation can achieve when aligned with national priorities.
“Equally, MRC Holland, our reliable and generous donor, has supported us immensely in various ways, and this includes furnishing our campuses. This is one of them, so we cannot thank them enough,” he commended.
The project realisation, he said, affirms his government’s commitment to investing in quality, relevant, and accessible education for all Gambians, especially in the critical areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
President Barrow underscored that the knowledge and skills that the graduates acquired at USET would be vital in addressing the many development challenges faced, ranging from infrastructure development and energy provision to climate resilience and digital transformation hitches.
Barrow reaffirmed his government’s dedication to expanding access to higher education and ensuring that it remains relevant to the needs of the nation’s economy.
Franklin Mutahakana, World Bank Resident Representative in the country, revealed that the Brikama USET Campus is not just a milestone achievement in infrastructure development but a powerful symbol of the country’s growing investment in knowledge, skills, and innovation.
He described the project as a demonstration of the country’s commitment to develop and equip its human capital into a truly competitive factor of production.
Professor Nazmat Toyin Surajudeen-Bakinde, the USET Vice Chancellor, revealed that the college would serve as a hub of creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving for generations to come.
“This state-of-the-art facility,” she said, “stands as a testament to their collective commitment to nurturing local talent, advancing scientific inquiry, and forging practical solutions to the challenges as a developing nation.”
For his part, Ebrima Cham, Chairperson of USET Governing Council applauded Professor Pierre Gomez, the minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology and his team for the leadership, guidance and support given to USET.
