April 31 is set aside by the UN to reflect on the significance of light while celebrating light-based technologies.
In The Gambia, the celebration took the form of a match pass, which was followed by a briefing session on the significance of the day, held at the Ebunjan Art Theatre.
The permanent secretary, ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Dr Cherno Barry, highlighted the significance of light in the 21 century. He described light as critical ingredient in cross-cutting areas, such as geography, gender, and culture.
“On 20 December, the UN declared 2015 as the international year of light and light based technologies. It aims to bring together scientific societies, different stakeholders, including Unesco, unions, educational and research institutions, technology platforms, non-profit organisations and private sector partners to promote and celebrate the significance of light and its applications.”
PS Barry said his ministry has supported the initiative by creating awareness and advocacy on light and light based technologies.
Ousman Jarju of the ministry of Energy said: “The ministry has completed its component of training 20 technicians in solar PC designing. This is meant to complement the UN resolution on light and light base technologies.
“The ministry of energy in collaboration with the ministry of Higher Education, Research Science Technology and the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education joined to implement the project founded by Unesco under the participation programme 2014-2015.”
Jarju added that the future development of societies in both developed and emerging societies are comparatively linked to the effective usage of light.
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