By Binta Jaiteh
Gambia Technical and Multimedia Institute has graduated over 70 trained students in video editing, graphics and domestic electrical installation.
The graduation ceremony took place over the weekend at the school premises in Kanifing.
On the training program for the students, GTMI partnered with United Nation Development Fund (UNDP) and EDSDP under Ministry of Trade who had sponsored the training of the students in different areas mentioned.
Speaking at the ceremony, Lamin A Tunkara, guest speaker and Managing Director of Gamtel said their partnership with the EPSDP project under the aegis of the MOTiE started in 2018 when an agreement to train 120 youths in Satellite Installations and Repairs; Solar Installation and Repairs; Laptop Repairs; Mobile phone Repairs; Cisco Networking (CCNA) was signed.
It is refreshing to note, he said, that the trainees under the first batch of this project graduated in August 2019.
The main objective of this project, he stated, was to minimize youth unemployment and also a way of curbing the back-way syndrome the illegal migration of youths to Europe.
He echoed that “the journeys to the backway are perilous and had inflicted lots of suffering to many Gambian families but with this wise investment by the EPSDP project in youth empowerment through skills acquisition, the youths can use these newly acquired skills for their livelihood through self-employment or gainful employment. This is a renewed hope for the youths. But this story didn’t end there.”
He shared some thoughts with the graduands as he congratulated them on their impressive achievement while he encouraged them to go forth and partake in the market out there, by taking on the world and advantage of what it has to offer by making sure that their presence is felt.
“Change your life and the lives of others around you,” he added.
Malick Bah director of GTMI stated that the institute also has its presence in Basse, Upper River Region (URR) while describing the day as another important day in annals of history of GTMI.
“It is graduation day a milestone in the lives of this institution and the lives of those we are here to celebrate,” he said as he gave an in-depth background of GTMI.
He said, GTMI is one of the oldest if not the oldest tertiary institution in The Gambia, it is more than thirty years in existence.
According to him, it grew from a training centre for telecoms technicians for the posts and telecoms then to a Telecommunications and Multimedia Institute in 1992. Since then the institute has trained hundreds of students who are virtually everywhere in the private and public sectors. GTMI provides training in Engineering in Telecoms, Electrical/Electronics, and Software Engineering, IT, Business and Finance.
And also, he added, in the Engineering (Telecommunications, Electrical/Electronics, Computer and Software) Tech/Vocational Skills (Mobile Repairs, Laptop Repairs, Satellite and Solar Installation) Management (Business Management, Human Resources, Marketing) Finance (Accounting and Banking).