By Tabora Bojang
The government of Qatar through its ambassador to the Gambia recently donated more than one hundred and twenty thousand dollars worth of furniture to the University of The Gambia.
The furniture which consists of 1500 chairs and tables were handed over to the UTG officials by the ambassador of the state of Qatar to the Gambia Muhammed Nasi Al- Kabbi at the university law campus in Kanifing.
The UTG which is the country’s highest learning institution with a student population of over 4000 has been grappling with inadequacy of furniture in the past and this gesture as the officials described is well timely as it is expected to address the issue of furniture within the university campuses.
Ambassador Nasi Al- Kabbi said the gesture is a symbol of a fruitful relationship that exists between The
Gambia and Qatar adding that the two have enjoyed a long and reputable relationship which is now even
stronger with the new government while assuring the UTG officials of their continuous support and
commitment.
Vice-chancellor Professor Faqir Muhammed Anjum said the University of The Gambia has been growing in leaps and bounds without the parallel infrastructure to cater for its increasing student population, adding that the donated items will help alleviate the problem of furniture faced by the students.
Higher education Minister Badara Joof who was hailed for his role in the facilitation of the donated furniture expressed profound gratitude to the Qatari ambassador for responding to their call to intervene within the shortest possible time.
According to him the government of the Gambia has a strong will and commitment to addressing the needs of the University of the Gambia, noting the importance and pioneering role university plays in addressing problems of underdevelopment and contributing to national development.
Minister Joof said: “For University of the Gambia to make a transformational change it would need a lot of assistance and we are determined to pursue that both at the institutional, staff and curricular levels.”
He informed that UTG vice chancellor will be part of a presidential delegation to Qatar where a “memorandum of understanding will be signed between the University of the Gambia and university of Qatar in order to deepen the cooperation between the two universities and see how best Qatar can come to aid of the university of the Gambia.”
