Speaking at the conference, Mr Jimmy Hendry Nzally, an administrative assistant at the UTG public relations office gave a brief history of the conference. He said he initiated the idea of the conference and it was first held last year in February at the American Corner Bundung targeting UTG students. He said that due to the impact of the conference for the students of Miami University, one of their professors, Melvin Cohen, co-founder and head of political science department, was awarded the best lecturer award. He admonished the participants to take the conference with seriousness as it would avail them the opportunity to clear some misconceptions about Africa and the United States.
The conference started with the professor from Miami asking: “As a Gambian citizen, what would you like the world to know about or think about The Gambia?” Responding, UTG student, Abdoulie Ceesay, answered said although small in size, The Gambia is a peaceful country with abundant resources.
In turn, the UTG students asked the Miami students: “What are your perspectives about African leaders in contrast to your own leaders?” The Miami students pointed that many Africans leaders overstay in power. The conference took the form of a question and answer session.
Meanwhile, in a related development, the school of Business and Public Administration of the University of The Gambia on Thursday hosted their counterparts from AFI – L’ Universite in Senegal. The team is on a weeklong visit to Banjul to foster cooperation between students of the two schools. They are expected to engage students of the University of The Gambia in academic disciplines as well as sports and cultural programmes. Other events included a conference at the UTG School of Public Administration attended by the students of the two schools on the theme “leadership in Africa”. Professors, lecturers and students deliberated on critical issues affecting leadership and regional integration and the way forward for the African continent.
Author: MS Jallow
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