As the University of the Gambia held its fourth convocation ceremony at the Independent Stadium, Bakau, on Saturday, January 26 2008, Society, this week explores the need for its establishment and the impact this revered national institution has so far had in the country.

The government's desire to bring education to the doorsteps of every Gambian is a humble task, which amplifies the inextricable link between education and the social, political and economic development of any country.

It also epitomizes the fact that for the economic and social winds of change to blow in any country, education must be given an utmost priority. This is more so given the fact that a critical examination of the past history of education in The Gambia shows illiteracy rates at a precarious level. And think about this fact; how could a country with only three secondary schools by 1994, make the necessary headway to achieve its development aspirations?

Furthermore, other factors such as the fact that by 1998, less than 50% of Gambian children attended schools rendered the country's development aspirations very difficult if not impossible.

And to worsen and compound things, tertiary education was never given the attention and priority it deserved. The Management Development Institute, Gambia College, and Gambia Technical Training Institute were the only institutions with the capacity to train Gambians at tertiary levels. Consequently, a truth became apparent and that is the fact that less than 6% of Gambians received tertiary education. To add dust to an already bleak situation, Gambians who wanted to access university education had to travel abroad to acquire it.

But as is always the case there was hope waiting somewhere. And when everything became nothing, sunshine came in 1994 in the form of the present administration who made it a priority to cleanse past wrongs by improving education in the country. This was done by listing education alongside health and agriculture as top priorities.

Action was, consequently, set in motion to construct schools throughout the length and breadth of the country. This has given Gambians greater opportunities to access quality and relevant education at all levels.

In what would be seen as the most significant effort ever to deliver the ultimate tonic to the nation's fledging development aspirations, the University of the Gambia was established in March 1999.

It's establishment epitomised and amplified the popular saying by President Kennedy that the progress of any nation can only be as swift as development in its education sector. Its establishment therefore, has brought to a halt the long, thorny and horny road, which Gambians had to sojourn through in order to become educated. It also handed Gambians the keys to open the doors to the bounties and opportunities that are found in the country.

But establishing the UTG was not always easy. Despite the urgent needs for it, it was not always smooth sailing. Several reasons lend credibility to this, one of which was the fact that some people decided to give it all the hallmarks and attributes of impossibility. But as usual, there is no going back and it would go ahead anyway to prove them wrong in the end.

So with support from the Ministry of Health of Cuba it kicked-off and in March 1999 the Medical School started operations marking the first university education in the country. The establishment of the Medical School was succeeded by the establishment of many other departments in the university including the Social Sciences, Humanities, Economics and Management Sciences, Public and Environmental Health and Science and Technology.

Since its establishment over 600 students have graduated from this noble institution. Among the many luminaries are great men and women who occupy important positions in the country, whilst a considerable number are also currently pursuing their masters and doctorate degrees.

As a sign of its growing strength, the UTG currently has about 2000 students. This comprises a mixture of nationalities including American's, Nigerians, Cameroonians, Liberians, and Senegalese.

It might have taken several decades to establish it, but the UTG has already started registering its mark in the development landscape of the country.  Even though the road is still narrow and long, there is no going back. And as noted by a recent Daily Observer editorial: "Efforts for the realization of maximum benefits from UTG calls for a focused nationalist approach.

And this must be embedded in the foundation we are now putting together, a foundation that will shape the long term outlook of the institution, and, to quiet a great extent, determine the kind of professionals the institution provides in the long term and future of our Gambia." This is the future for the UTG and the Gambia at large. So lets march on.