The first batch of 25 Gambian students, who left Banjul four years ago to undertake a programme in petro-chemical engineering, have graduated with degrees at a convocation ceremony held at the National Taipei University of Technology, Taiwan. It is the first time that such a good number of Gambian students benefitted from such a package, with the backing of the Taiwanese government.

The 48-month long programme seeks to improve the industrial technology and upgrade the management professionals of The Gambia.

Ebrima Camara, a permanent secretary at the Office of the President and Momodou Badjie, the head of the Gambia National Petroleum Company (GNPC), returned from Taiwan on Wednesday night, where they attended the graduation ceremony. At the ceremony, Mr Camara delivered a speech on behalf of Crispin Grey-Johnson, the secretary of state for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, who was indisposed.

All the students were said to have excelled in the programme. As a result of their solid performance, the government of Taiwan extended another olive branch to another group of 25 Gambian students who have since left the country to undertake a programme in ICT (Information and Communication Technology) at various universities in Taiwan.

Speaking in an interview with the Daily Observer, the GNPC boss described the mood in Taiwan as a joyous one, as according to him, all the students were beaming up with happiness having completed the programme successfully.

Mr Badjie lauded the reception accorded to them, saying “we were well received by the officials of the Taiwanese government and those from the university. A lunch was also hosted for the graduates by the Gambian ambassador to Taiwan. All of them did well and they were really happy about returning home”.

Pressed on the plans for the students upon their return, Mr Badjie said they would be absorbed by the GNPC and relevant state departments, who functions would have a bearing on the petroleum industry and related operations. “All their requests have been fulfilled and we had a meeting with them while we were there,” he said, adding that they are expected in Banjul on June 22.