By: Binta Jaiteh
The Ministry of Research, Science, and Technology (MOHERST) first quarter sector retreat geared towards enhancing operational capabilities and strengthening coordination for enhanced service delivery, opened on Monday at Sindola Lodge in Kanilal, West Coast Region.
The five-day retreat is meant to foster the sharing of ideas and best practices that would strengthen programme implementation, propose ideas addressing challenges faced by the sector, and explore possibilities for resource mobilization.
Minister of Higher Education Research, Science, and Technology Professor Pierre Gomez underscored the significance of the retreat, stating that it comes at a crucial moment as his ministry seeks to consolidate gains from 2024 and strategically plan for 2025.
“It is an opportunity for us to engage in critical self-reflection, to assess the challenges we have encountered, and to collectively find solutions that will enhance our sector’s efficiency and impact. Over the years, our sector has undergone significant transformations, with institutions such as the University of The Gambia (UTG), the University of Applied Sciences, Engineering, and Technology (USET), the Civil Service University (CSU), the University of Education Gambia (UEG), and the National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority (NAQAA), playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of tertiary and higher education in The Gambia,” he said explained.
“These institutions, with their unique mandates, continue to drive quality education, research, and innovation, all of which are central to our national development agenda,” he added.
According to him, the retreat will focus on key areas that are fundamental to the sector’s growth in assessing the achievements of 2024 that will review progress made in institutional development, programme accreditation, research output, and policy implementation.
The Minister revealed that through a balanced approach of institutional autonomy and collaboration, the forum will identify key performance indicators (KPIs) that will guide their collective efforts and explore how the institutions can share resources, collaborate on research, and align their programmes to avoid duplication while maximising impact.
He further expanded that the role of governing councils in ensuring institutional effectiveness cannot be overstated. “Their active participation here underscores our commitment to good governance in higher education,” he added.
“Education is not just about producing graduates, it is about equipping individuals with the knowledge, skills, and competencies to drive economic growth, social transformation, and technological advancement. Our institutions must remain centres of excellence, committed to research-driven solutions that address national and regional challenges,” he emphasized.
Professor Gomez stressed that this retreat is not merely a formality but a working session that must yield concrete, actionable outcomes.
He called on the participants to actively participate, to engage in discussions with an open mind, and to propose bold, innovative solutions that will propel the sector forward.
He urged that by the end of the retreat his ministry should have a clear roadmap for the year ahead, one that ensures they are making measurable progress in achieving their objectives.
The Deputy Permanent Secretary of Administration and Finance Mrs Ndey Fatou Trawally, reiterated that the retreat is not just a moment for presentations but a strategic forum where we collaboratively identify key performance indicators, explore shared resources, and develop actionable strategies that will shape the future of the institutions.
“Over the next five days, we will engage in meaningful discussions, review sector-wide challenges, and establish a unified vision that aligns with national and global educational priorities,” she noted.
Mrs Trawally outlined that the contributions are instrumental in ensuring that higher education remains a cornerstone of national development. “I encourage active participation, open dialogue, and a results-oriented approach that will ensure we leave this retreat with clear, actionable outcomes,” she urged.
The Chairman of the University of Education Dr. Alieu Badara Seghore said the retreat will pave the way to familiarize with the participants and the overall policies and programmes of the ministry.