A three-day quality assurance training for higher education institutions got underway on Tuesday, at the National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority (NAQAA) in Kanifing institutional layout. The training is organised under the UNESCO-SHENZHEN project.
Gibril Jaw, chief executive officer of NAQAA said quality is a key element not only for accreditation but to also ensure better opportunities for future generations, saying it would help higher education institutions to compete with their counterparts regionally and beyond.
“Effective internal quality assurance will ensure Gambian qualification to be highly recognised and valued. This will enhance positive image of education in The Gambia,” he added.
Lamin Jarju, representative of UNESCO-NATCOM said the objective of the project is to strengthen higher education systems at institutional and regional levels by developing quality assurance mechanisms in African countries.
He said ten African countries are currently benefiting from the UNESCO- SHENZHEN project including The Gambia, observing that in order to make internal quality assurance systems work sustainably for the enhancement of the quality and relevant higher education services, it is necessary to identify innovative solutions that much needed financial and human resources are not drawn away from academic processes such as teaching and research.
Madi Jatta, Deputy Permanent Secretary of higher education ministry, said quality education has the potential to accelerate development and improve creative thinking.
“I hope this three days training will lay a strong foundation in the strengthening of quality assurance units in your various institutions for subsequent attainment of quality higher education,” he said.
He said the training will equip participants with appropriate knowledge, skills and attitude to enable them to effectively contribute in meeting not just the country’s skills challenges but also placing The Gambia firmly within the core of the global knowledge economy.