Prof. Gomez gave the assurance at the 2025 graduation ceremony of the University of Education, The Gambia (UEG) held last Saturday at the UEG campus in Brikama.
Describing the occasion as historic, Professor Gomez indicated that it comes as the transformation of the former Gambia College into the University of Education, The Gambia, takes shape following the appointment of the institution’s first Vice Chancellor and senior management team.
He welcomed Vice Chancellor Professor Adamu Ahmed and the National Tertiary Accreditation Council (NTAC) team, commending them for accepting the responsibility of leading the institution through its transformation agenda.
The Higher Education minister also emphasised that the Barrow administration remains committed to providing quality and relevant teacher training, school management, planning programmes, research, and innovation to support national development.
Addressing the graduates, he encouraged them to use the knowledge and competencies acquired to contribute meaningfully to the education, agriculture, and health sectors, while serving with humility, leadership and purpose.
Gomez also highlighted his Ministry’s ongoing efforts to strengthen public universities, including plans for Government to support the payment of basic staff salaries.
The move, he added, is intended to ease financial pressure on institutions and create more opportunities for investment in teaching, research, and innovation.
He assured that the Ministry will continue supporting staff capacity development at Master’s and PhD levels.
He thus encouraged the University to leverage opportunities under the Student Revolving Loan Scheme, the Tertiary and Higher Education Trust Fund, and the National Research and Innovation Fund.
Additionally, Professor Gomez announced that MoHERST is engaging development partners, including the MRC Holland Foundation and Brighter Future, to support the expansion of UEG’s Brikama campus. The first phase is expected to include the construction of 27 new classrooms.
Minister Gomez concluded by congratulating graduates, lecturers, parents, and guardians for their dedication and contribution to the advancement of education in The Gambia.
