As the university community braces itself for the forthcoming convocation, the General Convocation Committee on Friday, received four cheques amounting to D72,750.

At least 175 students from eight departments will graduate on January 26, next year, at the Independence Stadium, Bakau, in a ceremony the President, Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh is expected to preside over.

Speaking in an interview with the Daily Observer, Jenung Manneh, the chairman of the General Convocation Committee, who is also the head of the UTG's Department of Agriculture, said the cheques came as result of a request made by his committee.

Mr Manneh disclosed that Dr Lendry Peters presented a cheque for D5,000 for the best English student, while Social Security and Housing Finance Cooperation, ECOBank Gambia LTD, and the Gambia Printing and Publications Cooperation (GPPC) presented cheques for D40,000, D19,200, and D8,750, respectively.

Mr Manneh described the convocation as a special day for the university, and a joyous one for graduating as well as non-graduating students.

January's convocation will mark the fourth batch of graduating students from the UTG, which was established in 1999.

In a separate development, the UTG Management earlier received support from a group of Dutch nationals currently on holidays in The Gambia. The materials range from photocopying and writing papers, to notepads, as well as pens. A consignment of chairs and tables were also donated.

Speaking at the occasion, Momodou Lamin Touray, the Netherlands-based Gambian who coordinated the presentation, said he had observed that all sponsorship of this fashion are directed to other schools, saying that the UTG should also be considered.

"This is our contributions to The Gambia," he said.

Cor Deen, the head of the delegation from Netherlands, had this to say: "We will be coming back with what we can".

Prof Andreas Steigen, the vice chancellor of UTG, had complimentary words for the benefactors. He said the materials are very much needed for the day-to-day running of the university.

He expressed hope that this is the beginning of a new relationship between UTG and the group.

Gumbo Ali Touray, director, Information and International Affairs of UTG, chaired the ceremony.