Professor Pierre Gomez, Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST), has said modern nations compete through ideas, innovation, and intellectual capacity, rather than physical size or natural resources.
Minister Gomez was on Tuesday speaking at the National Stakeholder Engagement and Requirements Gathering Workshop for the Tertiary and Higher Education Trust Fund (THET Fund) under the theme: “Co-Creating Workforce-Ready Graduates for The Gambia.”
He emphasised the need for strong skills development and youth empowerment to drive national development.
The Minister highlighted the importance of equipping graduates with workforce-ready skills, aligning with the theme “Co-Creating Workforce-Ready Graduates for The Gambia”.
Professor Gomez has been actively promoting transformative education, focusing on curricula integration, teacher training, and community engagement to address local needs. He stressed the importance of innovation, professional teachers, and ensuring no child is left behind in the education system.
According to him, the Gambia government has prioritised youth empowerment through TVET – Technical and Vocational Education and Training – as a key pillar of national development, recognising the need for skilled youth to drive innovation and economic growth.
Minister Gomez reaffirmed government’s commitment to advancing tertiary and higher education as a key driver of national development.
“This aligns with the YIRIWA National Development Plan and President Adama Barrow’s human capital development agenda,” he added.
The Minister emphasised the importance of equipping graduates with workforce-ready skills to drive innovation and economic growth, saying the government prioritizes youth empowerment through TVET, recognizing the need for skilled youth to drive national development.
The THET Fund aims to support initiatives that promote workforce-ready graduates, aligning with the government’s broader development goals.
“Producing workforce-ready graduates goes beyond curriculum reform,” Minister Gomez stressed, saying it requires investment in modern infrastructure, digital learning, and research facilities to support industry-aligned training.
He also mentioned equitable access to education, particularly for students in rural and underserved communities, women and girls in STEM disciplines, and persons with disabilities.
The forum brought together stakeholders, including government officials, academics, industry experts, development partners, civil society, and student reps. The meeting shared insights, identified gaps, and shaped the Tertiary and Higher Education Trust (THET) fund initiative.
