Dr Patrick Chang, the Taiwanese ambassador to The Gambia yesterday presented a cheque for US$642,721 to Abdoulie Sallah, the secretary of state for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology for the construction of the Kanilai Science and Technology Academy.

Dr Chang presented this fourth installment at a ceremony held at the Department of State for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Kanifing.

Presenting the cheque, Ambassador Chang lauded the progress made in the US$1.78 million project which is now at an advance stage to completion. He expressed hope that work would be completed as scheduled. "This is the place, where students can go and learn science and technology for the development of the country," he said.

Dr chang used the opportunity to commend the contractors, Gambia Technical Training Institute (GTTI) for the continuous progress the project is registering.

For his part SoS Abdoulie Sallah stressed the significance of the project, which according to him is crucial to building a critical mass for the transformation of th country into a hi-tech super power.

Considering the challenges posed by globalisation, the Science and Technology SoS elaborated on the benefits the academy can bring about adding that this is crucial for the integration of The Gambia into the global economy.

SoS Sallah thanked ambassador Chang and the government of Republic of Taiwan for the assistance, emphasising the importance President Jammeh and his government attach to the sector.

Fatou Mbye, the director of GTTI, updated the ceremony on the progress of the project. The GTTI boss disclosed that the construction work is now nearing to completion, noting that plastering is 95 per cent completed, bugler proofs 100 per cent completed and the ceiling is also register in progress. However, Ms Mbye appealed for the consideration of two payments at a time as the project is streaming into big spending.

Dr Seydou Jallow, the permanent secretary at the Department of State for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, who chaired the ceremony, amplified the importance of the project in developing the scientific capacity of the country.