The ceremony was held at Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center.
Founded in 1993 as a tertiary institution, Supdeco Banjul campus, which is part of Groupe Supdeco, is committed to training the new generation of African managers in various disciplines.
At the event, Mrs Juka Jabang, chairman Governing Council Supdeco- MDI, said the event is the combination of the unique partnership between two subregional higher educational institutions namely Group Supdeco Dakar, Senegal and the Management Development Institute of the Republic of The Gambia.
She observed that Supdeco is a fast-growing educational institution that presently runs twelve training centers in three cities in Senegal, saying these programmes in various schools include, management, transport and logistics, finance, trade, marketing and communication as well as digital energy.
"It is a groundbreaking entity in higher education in Senegal and I am sure you will be pleased to know that it was acknowledged as one of the prominent non- governmental higher institutions in Francophone Africa. MDI is Gambia government prime development institute that provides management training research and consultancy for the public private and the NGO sectors."
She recalled that the school over the years has trained a lot of Gambians on various areas needed to develop managerial planning and the implementation of development programs, while at the same time spearheading not just the development of administrative effectiveness, but enhancing professional competency in management throughout the country.
"An MOU signed between the two institutions in 2019 led to the creation of a University Extension Programme on the MDI Campus, thus creating an opportunity for the exchange of professors, administrative staff and qualified students and also to carry out joint research projects and to assist MDI in the development of academic and professional programs.”
She disclosed three programmes they currently run: two, three years Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration as well as Transport and Logistics and two years Master’s programme in Management were recently launched. These were followed by a Master’s degree in International Relations and Diplomacy, Maritime studies and Supply Chain in management respectively."
Mr Abdoul Aziz Sy, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Supdeco acknowledged that the journey has been a challenging one for all their students.
"We are so happy to welcome you in the community of more than twenty-five thousand graduates all over the world working proudly at prestigious positions in so many public and private organisations and thus fostering priceless knowledge they acquire within our works. It hasn't been easy for us despite our more than thirty years expertise in higher education in Africa. We have to find a trustworthy partner who would allow us to make our dream possible."
Fatoumatta Jaiteh, one of the graduating students, delivered a valedictory speech on behalf of her fellow graduates.