29/04/2025
Our Erudite Founder and Chief Executive Officer, who doubles as Chairperson of the Governing Council of the University of The Gambia (UTG), Professor Momodou Mustapha Fanneh, delivered a masterpiece of a speech that echoes throughout the country in the recent convocation ceremony of the UTG. In the speech, he expressed pride and gratitude during the University of The Gambia's 17th Convocation and 25th Anniversary celebrations, and thanked President Barrow for the trust in appointing him as Chairperson of the Governing Council. He further praised the graduates' achievements, highlighted UTG’s growth from humble beginnings, and emphasized the need for innovation and leadership to stay competitive. Acknowledging infrastructural and academic improvements, Professor Fanneh also noted ongoing challenges, including staffing and funding issues. He concluded by spurring graduates to uphold ethics, pursue further studies, and serve their nation with a pure heart.
Below is the full speech in text 👇👇👇
"• Your Excellency, the President of the Republic of The Gambia and Chancellor of the University of The Gambia,
• Honourable Ministers,
• National Assembly Members,
• Permanent Secretaries,
• Fellow Council Members,
• Vice Chancellor of The University of The Gambia,
• Members of the University Senate,
• Heads of Parastatals, Departments & Agencies,
• Vice Chancellors, Registrars, and Officials from various Higher Education Institutions,
• Faculty, Staff, Students, and Alumni,
• Religious Leaders,
• Graduands and Proud Families,
• The Gambia Police Band,
• Security Personnel,
• Members of the Press,
• Invited Guests, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
All protocols duly observed,
Good morning to you all
It is with immense pride, humility, and a deep sense of gratitude that I stand before you today as we celebrate two historic milestones of this esteemed institution—the 17th Convocation Ceremony of the University of The Gambia and the celebration of its 25-Year Silver Jubilee. I would like to seize this opportunity to thank the President of the Republic of the Gambia, His Excellency President Adama Barrow, for giving me the opportunity to serve as the Chairperson of the Governing Council of this prestigious institution of learning. Your Excellency, I cannot be more grateful.
Your Excellency, distinguished ladies and gentlemen,
First, allow me to congratulate the graduating class of 2024. Your hard work, perseverance, and determination have brought you to this momentous day. Not only have you earned your degrees, but you have also earned the respect and admiration of your families, your mentors, and your communities. We honor your achievements and challenge you to carry forward the values of service, integrity, and innovation in all your endeavours.
Twenty-five (25) years ago, the concept of a national university in The Gambia was just a dream—a dream rooted in the desire to provide accessible, relevant, and high-quality tertiary education to the citizens of our beloved country. Today, that dream has not only been realized, but it has flourished.
From its humble beginnings, the University of The Gambia has grown into a vibrant academic institution, shaping thousands of students and alumni who are making significant contributions both locally and globally.
Your Excellency, distinguished ladies and gentlemen,
As Chairperson of the University Governing Council, I am immensely proud of the progress the Government has made in strengthening institutional governance, expanding academic programmes, upgrading infrastructure, and enhancing the quality of teaching and research. However, we recognize that our journey is far from complete. The 25-year milestone is both a time for celebration and a call to action, a moment to reflect on our achievements and boldly chart the path forward.
The world is evolving at an unprecedented pace. Technology, climate change, demographic shifts, and increasing global interconnectedness are reshaping how we live, work, and learn. For the University of The Gambia to remain relevant and competitive, we must embrace a culture of innovation, critical thinking, and adaptive leadership. We must continue investing in our faculty, empowering our students, building global partnerships, and ensuring our graduates are not only employable but are also creators of opportunities and agents of transformation.
Your Excellency, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is important to recognize that the success of the UTG is a result of the unwavering support of the government, the dedication of the faculty and staff, the vision of past and present leaders, and the support of development partners.
Today, as we mark a pivotal moment in the history of the University of The Gambia—a moment to reaffirm our collective commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and national development,
I want to express my deepest appreciation to His Excellency, the President of The Republic of The Gambia, and Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology, Prof. Pierre Gomez, for their steadfast support in advancing higher education.
Their visionary leadership has ignited a legacy of learning, and I offer heartfelt gratitude for their unwavering belief in education, a powerful force transforming generations of Gambian minds and shaping the nation’s future.
Your Excellency, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
As we take our responsibilities as members of the Governing Council, we do so with a profound sense of duty. The Governing Council is not just a custodian of policies; it is a steward of the future. We pledge to guide the University of The Gambia towards realizing its vast potential as a global leader in education, research, and innovation. The Governing Council will ensure that the University stays true to its vision and mission, and we look forward to continuing our collective work towards making UTG a beacon of excellence, both in The Gambia and beyond.
Your Excellency, distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
The number of qualified academic staff has steadily improved, reflecting our sustained efforts in faculty recruitment, development, and retention. These gains underscore our unwavering commitment to building a strong and capable academic workforce, one that is well-equipped to deliver high-quality teaching and mentorship, cutting-edge research, and other services.
However, the University continues to confront challenges related to staff capacity, particularly in maintaining an optimal faculty-to-student ratio and ensuring a sufficient number of professors within each academic programme.
Your Excellency, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
A few years ago, the University faced significant infrastructural deficits, lacking some basic necessities. Today, thanks to His Excellency, the President and Chancellor's transformative vision and support, those struggles are largely overcome.
The development of the Faraba Banta Campus represents an unprecedented milestone, now housing the modern facilities of the Schools of Business and Public Administration, School of Education, School of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and Arts and Sciences. The building of a state-of-the-art seven-storey Chancery Building is in progress, and even more transformative is the upcoming world-class School of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences.
Furthermore, the Faraba Banta Development Project continues constructing more academic blocks, including the School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences and the Faculty of Law. Similarly, infrastructural advancements are also occurring at sister institutions like the University of Science and Technology (USET).
I wish to take this opportunity to recognize the hard work, commitment and dedication of the Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST), Prof Pierre Gomez and the Vice Chancellor of University of The Gambia (UTG), Prof Herbert Robinson towards improving the quality of education at the University of The Gambia.
Thank you Honourable Minister and Vice Chancellor.
Your Excellency, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
To the staff and management, the continued success of the University of The Gambia depends on a unified and purposeful partnership among management, academic, and non-academic staff. We must work hand in hand, not merely as colleagues, but as co-architects of a brighter future for higher education in our nation. To make an impact and leave a legacy the need for communication and dialogue guided by national interest cannot be overemphasized. Let us stand united in our mission to confront challenges head-on, seize emerging opportunities, and transform bold aspirations into measurable results. The University of The Gambia must not only educate minds but also ignite change, uplift communities, and drive national progress.
Your efforts are the cornerstone of this institution's success. We pledge to continue supporting you to ensure your growth and success.
Our vision is bold but achievable.
Let us be guided by the strength found in unity, for as Helen Keller wisely said, "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." With a shared purpose and aspiration, we can transform the University of The Gambia into a powerful engine for progress, shaping minds and serving as a beacon of hope for future generations.
Your Excellency, Distinguished ladies and Gentlemen,
As we embarked on our journey as the new Governing Council, we immediately faced challenges, including a staff strike, which, by the grace of Allah, we successfully addressed the situation.
However, The University of The Gambia still has significant hurdles demanding our urgent attention. Foremost among these is the considerable wage bill compared with a limited subvention. While substantial, this issue is solvable, and we believe a viable solution lies in the government absorbing basic salary costs, especially considering the freeze on tuition fees.
As a way forward, to ensure the institution's continued growth and sustainability, the Council is actively exploring diverse avenues for additional funding and strategic investments.
I am happy to report that the Council initiated its first-ever orientation meeting facilitated by Mr. Abdoulie Touray and Mrs. Lucy Faye. This productive session yielded a strategic work plan for council and management, and a Council charter.
Finally, to my fellow Council members, I implore you to approach this vital responsibility with courage, a clear vision for the future, and an unwavering dedication to excellence.
Your Excellency, distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
To the Esteemed graduands, your journey, beginning with a single step, has culminated in this well-deserved achievement. You embarked on a quest for knowledge and now stand as educated individuals poised to shape the world. As you transition to this new chapter, I urge you to embody the values of faith, integrity, honesty, dignity, leadership, and social responsibility.
My heartfelt congratulations on reaching this significant milestone. The University of The Gambia and your families are immensely proud.
Today, as graduands who have worked diligently to reach this point, remember that your relevance and productivity as global citizens will depend on applying the knowledge and skills you have acquired.
Graduands of the Class of 2024, as you step forward, uphold unwavering ethical principles and become the role models who inspire integrity and drive change.
Be ethical. Be mentors. Be game changers. Be creators of opportunities, and not job seekers. And above all, love your country and always put its interests first.
Looking ahead, I passionately encourage you to pursue advanced studies, aspiring to careers as researchers who expand knowledge and as professors who nurture future Gambian leaders and thinkers. Your potential to shape the future through research and education is paramount.
A heartfelt thank you to the parents, guardians, sponsors, alumni and well-wishers whose unwavering support has made this day possible. Your dedication and sacrifice have played an integral role in shaping the future of these young minds.
We also acknowledge the invaluable contribution of the Nigerian Technical Assistants (TAC), who have temporarily filled faculty gaps and helped address the faculty deficit. Your efforts have been vital in enhancing the quality of education at the University of The Gambia, and for that, we are deeply grateful.
To our esteemed alumni, you embody the essence of what UTG represents. As we celebrate this Silver Jubilee, we call upon you to reconnect, reinvest, and reaffirm your commitment to this community that helped shape your journey.
To our supporters, MoHERST, MoBSE, MRC Holland, GRA, GPA, Trust Bank, CBG, Africell, Comium, GTBoard, GMA, and Jump Finance. We say a Big Thank you and we look forward to the continued support.
To the dedicated organizing committee, please accept my sincere gratitude for your support in making this event a resounding success.
Your Excellency, distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
In closing, while this 25 year milestone is significant, the future holds greater potential for our beloved country, a potential we must harness.
Let us therefore renew our collective commitment to building a University of The Gambia that remains resilient, relevant, and commands global respect. May this remarkable journey be the beginning of a century of great excellence.
Let us all unite to ensure that UTG shines brightly as a beacon of hope, innovation, and excellence for The Gambia and the wider world. As we embark on this journey, let us reflect on the wise words of Mahatma Gandhi: "The future depends on what you do today." With determination and unity, we will transform UTG into a cornerstone of progress and a symbol of pride for The Gambia.
Together, we will leave a legacy that will resonate for generations to come.
Long live the University of The Gambia!
Long live the Republic of The Gambia!
Congratulations once again to the Class of 2024 and happy Silver Jubilee to the UTG family.
Thank you, and God bless The Gambia.
Professor Momodou Mustapha Fanneh
Chairperson
UTG Governing Council
The Gambia"
