By Ndey Sowe
The Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST), Professor Pierre Gomez, on Friday, 16 May 2025, presented the Ministry’s Scholarship letter of commitment to awardees of the excellence award to students of the University of The Gambia’s (UTG) graduating class of 2024.
The Excellence Awards Ceremony for the ten best graduates of the University of The Gambia was organised to acknowledge and present letters of commitment to those identified as best graduating students in various disciplines at the University of The Gambia.
Prof. Pierre Gomez said The University of The Gambia, the nation’s premier institution of higher learning, has nurtured the outstanding minds by equipping them with the skills, values, and the vision needed to contribute meaningfully to society.
“Your achievements, dear graduates, are a testament to the power of perseverance and the unwavering support from your families, lecturers and mentors. To the ten best graduates, your hard work has set you apart. You have not merely passed examinations; you have excelled academically. You have not just earned degrees; you have earned respect. Your journey of learning does not end here; it evolves. Carry this humility and curiosity forward as you step into the next phase of your lives”, the professor told the students and continued: “I urge you to be ethical leaders and to serve with integrity, and to use your knowledge to uplift others. The Gambia needs your innovation in governance, healthcare, technology, education and entrepreneurship. Be the change-makers our nation deserves.”
Foday M. Sillah, a Gold Medalist and overall best graduating student in BA in English language, gave the vote of thanks on behalf of his colleagues. He said that as awardees, they are overjoyed by the favour that has been bestowed on them.
“The UTG stands on three pillars: Knowledge, Truth, and Development. Today we live in this University with so much knowledge that can make us not only seek jobs, but also create jobs that can make us unite our people, and to participate fully in our country’s development aspirations,” Mr. Sillah added.
He applauded the UTG management and the government of the Gambia through the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology, for giving them the platform where they can exercise their rights and privileges to acquire knowledge.
Landing Jaiteh, a BSc graduate and Nurse, won the Gold Medal Award as the overall best graduating student, while Kemo Conteh, a BSc graduate in Political Science, won the Silver Medal as the second-best graduating student. Lamin Jah, a BSc graduate in Accounting, won the Bronze Medal as the third-best graduating student. Isatou Barry also won a silver medal award as a BSc graduate in Biology; Abdoulie S Bojang, a BSc graduate in Accounting, won the Bronze Medal as the third best graduating student; Miracle Ogonda Wokama won the Gold Medal award as the overall best graduating student in Medicine; Ebrima Conteh won the silver medal as the second best graduating student in Medicine; Kulaymata Mamburay won the Bronze medal as the third best graduating student in Medicine, while the student leadership award went to Nyanika Manjang.
