The first-ever Strategic Plan for the Civil Service University (CSU) has been validated, marking a pivotal step in the transformation of public sector education in The Gambia.
The validation workshop, held at Sindola Lodge in Kanilai on July 30, 2025, brought together CSU administrators, technical staff, stakeholders and development partners to review and finalise the university’s 2026–2030 Strategic Plan. The document outlines the university’s vision to become a centre of excellence in public administration, governance and service delivery.
In his keynote remarks, the Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Professor Pierre Gomez, emphasised that the CSU’s transformation is not simply a rebranding of the former Management Development Institute (MDI), but a bold institutional reform aligned with national development goals.
“The Civil Service University must emerge from this process as a model institution—responsive to the current challenges of the civil service, and proactive in preparing for the opportunities of tomorrow,” he stated.
He described the strategic plan as a blueprint that defines CSU’s purpose, direction and mission to produce a new generation of competent, ethical and innovative public servants capable of driving transformational change across the public sector.
Minister Gomez commended the CSU Governing Council, management, and technical teams for their extensive consultations and collaborative foresight, which contributed to shaping the strategy. He also acknowledged development partners for their expertise and continued support.
Dr Burama L.J. Jammeh, Chairperson of the CSU Governing Council, noted that the university is uniquely positioned to champion public service excellence in The Gambia.
“We have scrutinised our purpose, our potential and our priorities resulting in this draft Strategic Plan 2026–2030, which we now place before you for rigorous review and final validation,” he said.
Fatou A. Barry, Deputy Provost of CSU, said the plan would serve as a roadmap for CSU’s next five years of transformation. She highlighted five core priorities embedded in the document: institutional sustainability; governance and partnerships; infrastructure and digital transformation; faculty development and research innovation; and academic excellence and graduate employability.
Barry underscored the importance of communicating CSU’s new direction to the broader public, asserting that the Strategic Plan demonstrates the university’s resolve to meet the evolving needs of the nation’s civil and public service.
The validation workshop marks a significant milestone in the institutionalisation of CSU as a driver of national capacity development and public sector reform.
