The day’s session was held at the conference hall of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology and brought together stakeholders from various institutions.
The event was designed to reward The Gambia’s Tertiary and Higher Education institutions with the much-needed opportunities offered by the Erasmus+ Program and to provide them with the necessary information, guidance and necessary tools to increase their participation in the programme so as to submit high quality proposals to win projects.
At the event, Professor Pierre Gomez, Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, described the day as a very significant one which has brought together the tertiary and higher education sector to explore the remarkable opportunities offered by the programme.
He spoke at length on the opportunities offered by this Erasmus+ programme, acknowledging that the move is a cause to celebrate the transformative power of international cooperation and exchange in education, training, youth and sport.
He also underlined that through participation in the collaboration projects, Gambia’s tertiary and higher education institutions will access funding and resources to bolster research initiatives, curricula development and the adoption of cutting- edge teaching methodologies.
He urged all stakeholders, educators, policy makers, students and researchers to actively engage with the Erasmus+ Programme and seize the opportunity the programme affords them in order to forge meaningful partnership, enhance diversity, and harness the transformative power of international collaboration.
Speaking on behalf of the European Union Ambassador to The Gambia, Ms. Aisha Sillah, highlighted that the Erasmus+ Programme is one of the European Union’s most valuable tools in fostering international cooperation in education, training, youth and sport.
She recalled that since the inception of the programme, significant contribution was made in building bridges between countries, creating opportunities for young people, educators and institutions to learn from each other and work together across borders.
She explained that the EU firmly believes in the transformative power of education. Thus, development of tertiary and higher education is essential to building knowledge, strengthening human capital and driving sustainable development.
She expressed EU’s commitment to supporting the Gambia’s educational development, while recognising the importance of global competitiveness of the country’s institutions.
The event was moderated by the Erasmus+ Focal Point of The Gambia and Principal Science and Technology and Innovation Officer of the Ministry, Mr. Edward A. Mendy.
