FARABA BANTA, The Gambia – The University of The Gambia (UTG) has recorded a historic milestone, graduating its largest-ever cohort during the institution’s 18th Convocation Ceremony held on May 2, 2026, at its newly developed Faraba Banta Campus.
A total of 1,633 students, comprising 893 men and 740 women, were conferred degrees in various disciplines, marking a significant achievement for the country’s premier higher learning institution. The university also reported a 27 percent increase in enrollment since 2022, reinforcing its growing status as a key center for academic excellence in the region.
The ceremony was presided over by Chancellor and President of The Gambia, Adama Barrow, who praised the graduates for their perseverance and commitment.
He described them as vital contributors to national development and urged them to use their education to foster innovation, create jobs, and address societal challenges.
“This is not just a personal achievement, but a national investment,” President Barrow said, reaffirming his government’s commitment to expanding access to quality higher education and improving infrastructure across the sector.
This year’s convocation featured several academic breakthroughs, including the graduation of the first-ever cohort in Dentistry and pioneering PhD graduates in Law, signaling UTG’s steady transition into a research-driven institution.
The School of Business and Public Administration and the School of Arts and Sciences accounted for the highest number of graduates.
Delivering the keynote address, Vice Chancellor Herbert Robinson highlighted transformative gains made under the university’s “Quality First” Agenda introduced in 2022.
The strategy focuses on six priority areas: enhancing student experience, strengthening staff development, expanding infrastructure, improving performance systems, ensuring sustainable financing, and deepening stakeholder engagement.
Professor Robinson disclosed that UTG has invested significantly in staff development, including PhD training across multiple continents, while also generating over GMD 300 million in research and consultancy income.
He noted that the expansion of the Faraba Banta Campus, including modern laboratories and a moot court, reflects the institution’s ambition to meet global academic standards.
He further emphasized the university’s growing partnerships with international organizations such as the United Nations Development Programme and UNICEF, aimed at strengthening research and policy engagement in areas like climate action, food security, and child rights.
The ceremony attracted prominent dignitaries, including Akinwumi Adesina, who served as Chief Guest of Honor.
In recognition of his contributions to development, UTG named its School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences after him. Dr. Adesina also pledged an endowment fund of US$250,000 to support the university’s long-term growth.
Also in attendance was Daouda Ngom, alongside representatives from leading African universities, highlighting UTG’s expanding academic network across the continent.
Looking ahead, UTG plans to launch an alumni association, establish an enterprise unit, and accelerate digital transformation efforts as it positions itself for global competitiveness.
University authorities say these initiatives are essential to sustaining growth and addressing pressing national and global challenges.As graduates step into the next phase of their lives.
UTG leadership has called on them to serve as agents of change, equipped not only with academic knowledge but also with a sense of responsibility to contribute meaningfully to society.
