EISW is aimed at strengthening the already existing partnership between the two universities and also to foster exchange of knowledge and ideas on International Development Cooperation through the Erasmus+ Mobility programme.
At the opening ceremony, Prof. Herbert Robinson, Vice Chancellor of University of The Gambia, reminded that the University is honoured to host this important event, bringing together educators and professionals from diverse backgrounds to share knowledge, experience and innovative ideas.
“Through the UTG-UJA partnership, the achievements so far are as follows: Seven (7) UTG staff benefited from a week-long exchange programme at UJA. Currently, ten (10) UTG students are in Spain for a semester and, another ten (10) students are leaving this week for another semester. In addition to the students, a selection process is underway for about ten (10) staff who will benefit from the staff mobility component.” he said.
The two institutions, he went on, are working on other initiatives to deepen their collaboration in the areas of research, academic fellowships and long-term staff academic exchange.
Jose Ignacio Jimenez Gonzalez, Vice Rector, Internationalization of the Universidad de Jaen, while acknowledging that the cooperation between the two institutions is still at its infant stage, but very solid, he further affirmed that they share multiple topics of interest.
Thus, he maintained that strong confidence and mutual respect have been built over the past years, something he believes, highlight some of the gains made so far.
To give one just an example, he said the flow of mobility within the frame of the Erasmus+ KA171 with the UTG, consists of 20 exchange students visits and 10 staff travelling to Jaén during the present academic year.
“If we add it up to the 24 outgoing mobilities executed within the frame of this Staff Week, that makes UTG, by far, the partner with the highest number of incoming and outcoming mobilities from África, and among the top 3 ranking considering all the continents.”
Lamin Ceesay, Director of Planning at MoHERST, said the Ministry remains committed to providing the necessary support and enabling environment to facilitate and foster networks and collaboration with other institutions.
He spoke about his Minister’s readiness and enthusiasm about internationalisation, which he said, would significantly help in creating networks of collaboration, especially between universities and institutions of higher learning.
The university, he added, would continue to provide expanded programmes for increased access to higher education to thousands of deserving students both within and outside The Gambia.
