By Binta Jaiteh
At least thirty (30) Students from the University of The Gambia on Tuesday were awarded Scholarships by the Chinese Ambassador’s Excellence, a ceremony held at UTG premises in Kanifing.
The awarding ceremony also involved the donation of valuable equipment to the UTG by the Chinese Embassy.
Speaking during the ceremony, Dr. Habibatou Drammeh, Director of Alumni and Student Affairs said the 30 scholarships will go a long way in strengthening towards advancing and giving a future to the UTG students and the whole country at large.
“Not only have you supported our students locally but also UTG staff have also benefited from your gestures giving them the chance to pursue numerous degrees in China. This support has enhanced the human capacity or capital capacity of the UTG students and it exposed our staff. This is therefore a joyous occasion for us to witness another awarding and donation of teaching materials to the UTG.”
This, he said demonstrated that China is committed to advancing and supporting The Gambia, noting education plays a vital role in building a brighter future for young people while encouraging them to use the opportunity wisely.
On his part, Professor Herbert Robinson, Vice-chancellor of the University of The Gambia expressed gratitude to the Chinese embassy for their support, adding the scholarships will help in making the students continue their education.
He pointed out that the embassy has been a leader in promoting education and improving access by investing in the future leaders of this country through numerous scholarships, saying since its establishment in 2011 they have awarded scholarships to more than 100 students which is remarkable.
“At the level of the UTG, we make sure that the selection process is transparent whereby a panel consisting of the representative office of the registrar and directorate of admissions and financial aid,” he said
However, Liu Jin, Chinese Ambassador to The Gambia said education plays a key role in the social and economic development of the country’s development.
“China, in the next decade will try to build social modernization.”
He added that the Gambia is a Smiling Coast, and the people are friendly while acknowledging the people for the collaboration between the two countries to continue to strengthen further.