By Amadou Manjang
The University of the Gambia (UTG) and South Carolina State University have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for sharing knowledge.
The Memorandum of Understanding would foster relationships between the two universities. The MoU is centred on agriculture.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Prof. Herbert Robinson, Vice Chancellor of the University of The Gambia, said the partnership is an opportunity for both institutions to share knowledge. However, he quickly pointed out that the University of The Gambia is young, but attractive for partnership.
Prof. Robinson said if the Gambia is going to feed itself, the school of agriculture in UTG needs to be empowered. He said that the school currently has a huge ‘capacity gap’ but added that there is an opportunity to address that through this collaboration.
‘University has a key role to play in self-food sufficiency,’ he said.
He highlighted that the MoU will focus on agriculture extension workers. He said the country does not currently have many extension workers in the agriculture sector; therefore, the collaboration can help the country to improve its agricultural productivity.
He told his counterparts that the University of the Gambia has two farmlands – 2 hectares, and 10 hectares. He said they want to use the farms as experimental and commercial farms through the collaborations while highlighting that they need a centre for food and nutrition as well as using AI in farming.
Col. Alexander Conyers, the President of South-South Carolina State University said they entered into a partnership with UTG to share knowledge and experience their university gathered over the century.
South-South Carolina State University was established in 1896 for African-American students. The university trains its students to drive societal development, especially in agriculture.
Conyers said farming experience is essential for studying agriculture because it is the lab for agricultural students and schools; therefore, UTG needs ‘working farms’. He said they would work with UTG in that aspect.
He said the collaboration or partnership is going to be a ‘win-win situation’ for both the University of the Gambia and South Carolina State University. He added that there will be a ‘positive outcome’ in their collaboration.
Dr. William Jabang, the Chief Director of Operations at UTG expressed delight at the signing of the MoU. He also said the collaboration will contribute to the exchange and sharing of knowledge between UTG and South Carolina University.
