By Ndey Sowe
On Friday, 4th March 2025, the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST) held a press briefing to unveil the architectural designs for the School of Medicine and Applied Health Sciences (SMAHS) at the University of The Gambia’s (UTG) Faraba Banta Campus.
The briefing, led by Minister Professor Pierre Gomez, was attended by Permanent Secretary Jainaba Jagne, UTG Vice Chancellor Professor Herbert Robinson, and other senior officials from the Ministry and the University.
According to Minister Gomez, the new faculty—referred to as Lot 3 of the Faraba Banta Campus development—will serve approximately 6,600 students and marks a major leap in the country’s higher education and healthcare training capacity.
“The facility will cater to approximately 6,600 students, including those transitioning from Gambia College as part of the higher education transformation program,” Professor Gomez said.
The student population will include 1,200 medical students, 1,200 pharmacy students, 1,800 nursing students enrolled in both the four-year and 2.5-year programs, 600 allied health sciences students (including those in biomedical and medical laboratory sciences), and 800 public and environmental health students. In addition, 435 nursing students and 443 public health students from the Gambia College will be integrated into the new facility.
The strategic location within the Faraba Banta campus, Professor Gomez emphasized, allows for seamless integration with the surrounding academic and research infrastructure. The design also aims to promote innovation, collaboration, and academic excellence in health sciences.
The built-up area spans 21,048 square meters, comprising designated spaces for each department and shared facilities. These include:
Department of Public & Environmental Health – 3,094 m²
Department of Nursing – 3,744 m²
Department of Medicine – 3,622 m²
Department of Pharmacy – 3,622 m²
Department of Allied Health Sciences – 3,678 m²
Shared Facilities for SMAHS – 2,150 m²
Staff Accommodation – 800 m²
Clinic – 338 m²
Professor Gomez described a “street concept” at the heart of the faculty’s layout—a pedestrian-friendly central corridor designed to foster social interaction, departmental connection, and a sense of community. Kiosks from various departments will line this pedestrian street, enriching the student experience.
Each building in the faculty will follow a uniform layout with a functional three-story structure:
Ground Floor: Classrooms, conference rooms, a library, amphitheater, cafeteria, and administrative offices
First Floor: Classrooms
Second Floor: Faculty offices
These spaces will be organized around a central courtyard and covered gallery to enhance cross-lighting and natural ventilation. Elevators will be installed to ensure accessibility for persons with reduced mobility, alongside staircases for smooth vertical movement.
The architectural design draws inspiration from the Caduceus, the traditional symbol of medicine representing healing, knowledge, and interconnectedness. According to Professor Gomez, the design philosophy is grounded in compactness to optimise environmental sustainability.
“We have adopted a design approach based on compactness to optimize the project’s environmental performance,” he said. “Despite the diversity of the program and the large surface area, the architectural response remains compact, with buildings limited to two stories (R+2).”
He elaborated on the environmental features of the design, including:
Reduced sun exposure through optimized building orientation
Maximized natural lighting to cut down on artificial energy use
Enhanced thermal comfort through natural ventilation and cross-breezes
The courtyard functions as a thermal regulator with microclimate benefits
Shading systems like over-roofing and vegetation to reduce overheating
Looking beyond Lot 3, Professor Gomez also revealed updates on Lot 2 of the Faraba Campus, which will host the School of Agriculture, Faculty of Law, and the Councilors’ Office. He announced that Lot 2 will be inaugurated on December 27, and once the contract is signed, it is expected to be completed within two years.
The cost of the SMAHS project stands at $46 million, and Minister Gomez disclosed that the Government is in collaboration with traditional development partners from the Arab world, particularly the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), to fund the construction.
“The priority now is to provide state-of-the-art facilities for the SMAHS,” he stated.
The new development promises to transform health education in The Gambia by offering modern, accessible, and sustainable learning environments for the next generation of health professionals.
