The role and importance of tertiary and higher education in the process of national development have been acknowledged and emphasised globally. Therefore, in order to achieve sustainable socio-economic development in The Gambia, it is important to reaffirm the relationship between tertiary and higher education and the workforce and how these steers the development drives stipulated in the country’s National Development Plan (NDP), and other national policy and strategy initiatives.
Globalisation has brought to the forefront such key issues as new knowledge and skills, modes of technologies, qualifications and knowledge application as imperatives that drive education and research, science and innovation.
In The Gambia, efforts are being made to harness STI in order to improve the country‘s health conditions, environment with due considerations to climate change, gender disparities, agriculture and engineering initiatives, poverty alleviation, disaster risk reduction and management, transportation, as well as other areas of national development. It is, therefore, important to raise society‘s awareness of the need for the development of STI in all the sectors and its role in the overall national development. This will contribute effectively to the challenges that society encounters to improve and implement STI policy objectives in conformity with the country‘s ethical, social, cultural norms and values.
A fundamental priority of the Government of The Gambia is for the citizens to be among the most educated and skilled in the world in relation to university studies, research and knowledge diffusion.
Provision of quality tertiary and higher education, research, science, technology and innovation for socio-economic development.
Providing access and equal opportunities for all capable Gambians to participate to their full potential in knowledge and skills acquisition and application.
Transforming the University of The Gambia (UTG) and other public institutions into reputable world-class institutions and centres of excellence.
Repositioning Science, Technology and Innovation and Research and Development (STI and R&D) as the main drivers for wealth creation, economic development and social progress.
