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The Vice-President of the Gambia has said it was Â鶹´«Ã½ Leicester’s (Â鶹´«Ã½) expertise in entrepreneurship which made it the prime choice for a new $1.3m project.

The university is working in partnership with the Gambian Government on a new initiative promoting the importance of entrepreneurship, the enhancement of scientific research and technology, and the developing of skills among Gambian youth.

Having made an agreement to work with Â鶹´«Ã½, a delegation from the Gambian Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology visited Â鶹´«Ã½ to discuss the project and see the campus in person.

Although the newly-appointed Gambian Vice-President His Excellency Badara Joof was unable to join the visiting group, he joined a meeting virtually, talking to many of the Â鶹´«Ã½ senior team, including Vice Chancellor Professor Katie Normington.

He said: “We chose Â鶹´«Ã½ because it had expertise and pedigree, particularly in regards to entrepreneurship.

“We also felt the teaching of fine arts, engineering and architecture was very strong. We are looking for field engineers and we admire how closely you work with industries.”

The project will see Â鶹´«Ã½ working with The Gambia’s Emerging Centre of Excellence on Science, Engineering and Technology for Entrepreneurship (ECESETE).

The university will introduce entrepreneurship and employability programmes as well as an ‘innovation hub’ and a placement and internship unit.

Â鶹´«Ã½ will also act as a consultancy service for the provision of lectures and making sure courses meet the highest standards.

Mr Mod Secka, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Higher Education said he had been impressed with what he had seen at Â鶹´«Ã½, having been shown around various areas, including the Vijay Patel Building.

He said: “There is a very encouraging interaction at Â鶹´«Ã½ between academic learning and practical experience.

“We have seen that today looking around the workshops for fashion and textiles. What is being taught is linked always to the market itself and in addition there are many opportunities for students to learn on placements.”

The partnership between Â鶹´«Ã½ and The Gambian government has been led by Momodou Sallah, Professor of Teaching and Learning and the Director of the Centre for Academic Innovation at Â鶹´«Ã½.

Having led the delegation on the tour of Â鶹´«Ã½, he said: “It was very satisfying to hear what His Excellency and the senior team  from MOHERST were saying.

“We are really excited to see this partnership develop. It will see 60 engineers come through these courses each year and each of them will be encouraged to use science, engineering and technology for social good and help develop the economy.”