The validation ceremony, held at the Sindola Safari Lodge in Kanilai village, brought together administrative and technical staff of the CSU, alongside key stakeholders. The event marked a pivotal step in the establishment of the Civil Service University, aimed at aligning its development with national priorities and institutional goals.
In his keynote address, Professor Gomez emphasised that the creation and operationalisation of the CSU is far more than a rebranding of the former Management Development Institute (MDI). He described it as a “foundational institutional reform” designed to modernise public sector learning and align it with the imperatives of a professionalised civil service.
“The Civil Service University must emerge from this process as a model institution—responsive to the current challenges of the civil service, and proactive in preparing for the opportunities of tomorrow,” he stated.
Professor Gomez further noted that the Strategic Plan is a declaration of purpose and direction, defining CSU’s mission to become a centre of excellence in public administration, governance, and service delivery. He said the university aims to produce a new generation of professionals grounded in competence, ethics, and innovation capable of driving meaningful transformation across the public sector.
Burama L.J. Jammeh, Chairman of the CSU Governing Council and former head of the MDI, echoed these sentiments. He highlighted the collaborative efforts undertaken over recent months to shape a university that meets the evolving needs of The Gambia’s civil and public service.
“We have scrutinised our purpose, our potential, and our priorities resulting in this draft Strategic Plan 2026–2030, which we now place before you for rigorous review and final validation,” Jammeh said.
Fatou A. Barry, Deputy Provost of the CSU, described the Strategic Plan as a roadmap for the transformation of the former MDI into a fully-fledged university. She said the document communicates the institution’s chosen direction over the next five years.
Mrs Barry outlined CSU’s vision, which is anchored on five strategic priorities, ranging from Institutional Sustainability, Governance and Partnerships, Infrastructure and Digital Transformation, Faculty Development and Research Innovation, and Academic Excellence, Curriculum Reform, and Graduate Employability
“It is through this Strategic Plan that we aim to communicate to our wider community the direction we have chosen for our new CSU,” she concluded.
The validation of the CSU Strategic Plan marks a transformative moment in The Gambia’s higher education landscape, setting the stage for a future-focused institution committed to excellence in public service.
