In what has become a regular event in the history of the University of The Gambia (UTG), the Taiwanese Embassy in Banjul, yesterday, presented a cheque for US$6,000 as one-year scholarships to 10 UTG students.

The beneficiaries were Bakary Manneh and Saikou Saidyjeng at the Department of Economics and Management, Mama Jaiteh at the Department of Social Sciences, Mariam Jaye, Samba Bah, and Fatou Mbye at the Department of Social Sciences, Babucarr Ceesay at the Faculty of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, Fatou Jammeh-Touray at the Department of Humanities,

Haddy Jeng at the School of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences and Fallou Saho at the Department of Science and Technology.

The Taiwanese largesse - presented to UTG vice chancellor, Prof Adreas Steigen by the Taiwanese plenipotentiary to The Gambia, Dr Patrick Chang - was raised through the internal savings of the Taiwanese Embassy in Banjul. Dr Chang also presented five sets of Asus computers.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, the chairman of the UTG Governing Council, Abdoulie Touray, expressed gratitude to the Taiwanese Embassy, especially Dr Chang, for his generosity and affinity to UTG. He thanked Ambassador Chang and his embassy for their magnanimity.

Mr Touray disclosed that the UTG represents the pinnacle of the country's socio-economic development.

The UTG Governing Council chairman then stressed the importance of scholarships in education, as they assure uninterrupted academic pursuit for students. He therefore called on the diplomatic community, the private sector and NGOs to step forward and play their part.

Prof Steigen welcomed the gesture, expressing hope that it becomes contagious for other embassies to emulate. He also welcomed the donation of computers, noting that the UTG is always "insatiable" when it comes to computers.

"You are a very good friend and we really appreciate your support," Prof Steigen emphasised.

For his part, Ambassador Chang said his embassy saves US$500 a month, saying that they are cognisant of the difficulties faced by parents to meet the school bills of their children.

According to him, they are also aware of the numerous gains registered by the country's highest learning institution under the leadership of President Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh.

He informed the gathering that the 85 Gambians constitute the highest number of foreign students in Taiwan and disclosed plans by the president to send more students to undergo studies in the Asian-Pacific island state.

Dr Chang said the donated computers were provided by Asus, a computer manufacturing company in Taiwan, which was visited by President Jammeh during his recent state visit. He assured the UTG top brass of his embassy's continuous support.

Gumbo Ali Touray, director of Information and International Affairs, UTG, gave a succinct speech about the importance of the Taiwanese gesture: "In helping the UTG, you are helping The Gambia as country."

Fatou Mbye, one of the beneficiary students, who gave a vote of thanks, said the gesture ended their protracted frustration at paying their school fees, adding that the computers will help them in their research work and other academic exercises.

Jenung Manneh, a senior lecturer and head of the Agricultural Department of UTG, chaired the ceremony.