President Barrow Attend UTG Convocation, Presides Over 1,633 Students, Promotes 138 Academic Staff By Raymond Enoch
The University of The Gambia (UTG) marked a defining milestone in its academic history on May 2, 2026, as President Adama Barrow, in his capacity as Chancellor of the institution, presided over the 18th Convocation Ceremony held at the newly developed Faraba Banta Campus, in a celebration that blended academic achievement, institutional transformation and national aspiration.
The ceremony saw a record-breaking graduation of 1,633 students, the largest in the university’s history, comprising 893 men and 740 women. The milestone reflects the institution’s growing capacity and expanding role as a regional centre for higher education in West Africa. The event also underscored a 27 percent increase in enrolment since 2022, signaling rising demand for university education in The Gambia and UTG’s strengthening academic reputation.
Among the standout achievements of this year’s graduating cohort was the graduation of the first-ever Dentistry students in the country’s history, marking a major breakthrough in health sciences education. The university also produced its pioneering PhD graduates in Law, further reinforcing its shift toward advanced research and postgraduate specialization. The School of Business and Public Administration contributed 381 graduates, while the School of Arts and Sciences produced 319 graduates, reflecting strong output across key academic disciplines.
President Barrow, addressing the convocation, praised the graduates for their resilience and discipline, describing them as “the architects of The Gambia’s future.” He urged them to use their knowledge not only for personal advancement but as instruments for national development, innovation and social transformation. He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to strengthening higher education infrastructure, expanding access to tertiary education, and supporting UTG’s continued growth as a national asset.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Herbert Robinson, used the occasion to outline what he described as a significant transformation of the university under its “Quality First” agenda. He explained that the university’s development strategy is anchored on six key pillars known as the 6S framework, which includes Student Experience, Staff Development and Welfare, Space, Systems for Performance Management, Sustainable Financing, and Stakeholder Engagement.
According to him, UTG has expanded international exposure for students through Erasmus+ exchanges and strengthened local career placement opportunities. He disclosed that 138 academic staff have been promoted as part of efforts to boost morale and academic excellence, while significant investment has been made in doctoral training across Asia, Africa and the United States. He further noted that the completion of Phase 2 of the Faraba Banta Campus now includes 12 modern laboratories and a moot court, enhancing the university’s teaching and research infrastructure.
Professor Robinson also revealed that the institution has generated over GMD 300 million in research and consultancy income, reducing reliance on government subvention and improving financial sustainability. He highlighted the establishment of strategic knowledge hubs in partnership with global institutions such as UNDP, UNICEF, IDB and UNITAR, covering areas including climate action, food science, computer applications and child rights.
He described the Faraba Banta Campus as a symbol of transformation, stating that UTG is evolving from a teaching-focused institution into a research-driven and service-oriented university capable of addressing national and regional development challenges. He paid tribute to President Barrow for his support and acknowledged the Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Professor Pierre Gomez, for facilitating key infrastructure developments.
The convocation also attracted high-profile international participation, including Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank, who served as Chief Guest of Honour. In a major gesture, the School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences was renamed in his honour, and he announced a $250,000 endowment fund to support academic excellence and research development.
Other dignitaries included Professor Daouda Ngom, Senegal’s Minister of Higher Education, alongside vice chancellors from the University of Ghana, Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria, and Gaston Berger University in Senegal. Their presence reinforced UTG’s growing pan-African academic collaborations and its increasing visibility on the continental stage.
Professor Robinson further announced plans for the establishment of an Alumni Association, an Endowment Fund and a UTG Enterprise Unit to strengthen long-term financial sustainability. He also emphasized ongoing digital transformation initiatives aimed at modernizing learning systems and expanding research capacity in critical sectors such as climate change, renewable energy and food security.
He urged graduates to embrace lifelong learning and leadership, stating that their responsibilities now extend beyond academic achievement to active participation in national development. He also stressed that UTG’s ambition to achieve global ranking would require consistency, strategic clarity and collective commitment from all stakeholders.
The ceremony concluded in an atmosphere of celebration and reflection, marking not only the graduation of 1,633 students but also the continued evolution of the University of The Gambia into a growing centre of academic excellence, regional collaboration and institutional transformation.
