MoHERST Minister Says Gov’t Not Thinking About Upgrading MDI Into University, But Training Centre For Civil Servants

By Fatou Sillah 

Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Prof. Pierre Gomez has said that government is not thinking about upgrading MDI into a university, but a centre that would respond to the training needs and aspirations of the civil servants.

The Minister made the remarks in an interview with Kerr Fatou on Thursday in response to the claim on government’s intention to upgrade MDI into a fulfill fledged university, as the University of the Gambia (UTG).

“The transformation agenda is very clear. So MDI will be upgraded . That one is still part of the agenda. But then, I know when we talk about it (upgrading MDI), people think about the UTG, that there is going to be another UTG. That is not our thinking. We have discussed that with the management of MDI also.

“MDI cannot be the University of The Gambia. Our thinking is for MDI to be able to respond to the needs and aspirations of the civil servants. It must be that institution that will be able to produce professional civil servants,” he said 

Hon. Gomez said that in other countries getting a first degree does not automatically help one to get certain positions in the civil service.

“You get your first degree, then you go to an institution such as MDI. If you compete for the position there, if you are accepted there, you go through certain trainings, if you come out from that, then you can meet that minimum requirements to occupy certain positions (in the civil service).

The former Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of The Gambia said talking about the the civil service reform, MDI most be the engine to that reform. 

MoHERST Minister informed that MDI would be offering completely different courses, compared to the University of the Gambia.