Prof. Pierre Gomez, Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology
By Buba Gagigo
The Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology (MoHERST) has officially announced the appointment of new Governing Councils for public universities, effective December 1, 2024.
In a statement, MoHERST highlighted the significance of these appointments, which include councils for the University of The Gambia (UTG), the University of Education Gambia (UEG)—formerly Gambia College—and the Civil Service University (CSU), previously known as the Management Development Institute (MDI).
“The Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology (MoHERST) is pleased to announce the appointment of new Governing Councils for public universities with effect from 1st December 2024, including the University of The Gambia (UTG), the University of Education Gambia (UEG), formerly Gambia College, and the Civil Service University (CSU) formerly the Management Development Institute (MDI). These appointments mark a significant milestone in the advancement of higher education governance in The Gambia,” MoHERST said.
The newly constituted councils aim to ensure that the universities deliver high-quality education, foster innovation, and produce graduates who are well-prepared to contribute to national development.
“Their work will be pivotal in ensuring the universities continue to deliver quality education, foster innovation, and produce graduates equipped to contribute to national development.”
The Governing Councils feature a diverse lineup of distinguished professionals from academia, government, civil society, and the private sector, whose expertise and dedication will play a pivotal role in fulfilling the universities’ missions.
Governing Council Members:
University of The Gambia (UTG):
- Professor Mustapha M. Fanneh – Chairperson
- Nahla Tambadou – Vice Chairperson
- Dr. Ebrima Sall – Member
- Salama Njie – Member
- Imam Baba Leigh – Member
- Governor, West Coast Region – Member
- Vice Chancellor – Member
- University Registrar – Secretary
- President, Students’ Union – Member
University of Education Gambia (UEG), Formerly Gambia College:
- Dr. Alieu Badara Senghore – Chairperson
- Cecilia Baldeh – Vice Chairperson
- Fodeh Baldeh – Member
- Essa Sowe – Member
- Essa Darboe – Member
- Governor, West Coast Region – Member
- Vice Chancellor/Rector – Member
- University Registrar – Secretary
- President, Students’ Union – Member
Civil Service University (CSU), Formerly MDI:
- Dr. Burama Jammeh – Chairperson
- Njundu Fatty – Vice Chairperson
- Professor Gibril Faal – Member
- Fr. David J. Jarju – Member
- Antoinette Corr – Member
- Executive Coordinator KM – Member
- Vice Chancellor/Rector – Member
- University Registrar – Secretary
- President, Students’ Union – Member
Additionally, representatives from key government ministries will serve as members of the councils:
- Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs (MoFEA)
- Solicitor General, Ministry of Justice (MoJ)
- Permanent Secretary, MoHERST
- Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE)
- Permanent Secretary, Public Service Ministry
MoHERST emphasized that the leadership of these councils is critical to ensuring the universities meet and exceed global standards in education, research, and community engagement.
“The collective expertise and dedication of the appointees will play an instrumental role in achieving our higher education goals. We congratulate all appointees, and thank them for their service,” the Ministry stated, reaffirming its commitment to supporting the councils in their efforts.
This development underscores MoHERST’s mission to strengthen higher education institutions in The Gambia for the benefit of students, educators, and the broader community.