The Gambia University of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology (USET) on Wednesday, 19 August 2026, received 10 HP desktop computers and scholarships for 10 students from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, in a significant gesture aimed at supporting education, digital learning, and human capital development.
The presentation ceremony, held at USET’s Brikama Campus, brought together university management, staff, student representatives, scholarship beneficiaries, and representatives of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China.
Representing the Chinese Embassy were Mr. Zhao Shangsen, Deputy Head of Mission, accompanied by Mr. Yuoan Weihai.
Welcoming the delegation, Professor Nazmat T. Surajudeen-Bakinde, Vice Chancellor of USET, expressed profound appreciation for the continued support of the Government and people of China towards education and human capital development in The Gambia.
The Vice Chancellor described the scholarship intervention as more than financial assistance, noting that it represents an investment in the dreams, talents, and future of young Gambians. She expressed confidence that the beneficiaries would make good use of the opportunity and eventually contribute meaningfully to national development.
Professor Surajudeen-Bakinde also expressed appreciation for the donation of the 10 HP desktop computers, noting that the equipment would support teaching, learning, research, and other academic activities at USET. She emphasised that such resources are particularly important for an institution committed to science, engineering, technology, and innovation.
She further acknowledged China’s broader contribution to The Gambia through scholarships, capacity-building programmes, seminars, and other educational opportunities. She noted that more than 50 USET staff members have benefited from opportunities to travel to China for various programmes since she assumed office, contributing to stronger institutional and people-to-people relations between The Gambia and China.
Chinese Embassy Reaffirms Commitment to Education
Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Zhao Shangsen, Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, described the intervention as a gesture of friendship and cooperation from the Chinese Embassy.
Mr. Zhao explained that the Embassy had provided 10 scholarships, with each beneficiary receiving D70,000, in addition to the donation of 10 desktop computers. He expressed hope that the scholarships would assist the beneficiaries in pursuing their studies successfully at USET.
Reflecting on China’s engagement with developing countries, Mr. Zhao explained that the support is rooted in China’s commitment to promoting shared development and ensuring that developing countries work together towards common goals.
He encouraged the scholarship beneficiaries to work hard and take advantage of future opportunities, particularly Chinese Government scholarships for degree programmes. He outlined the pathway for accessing such scholarships, explaining that the Embassy receives annual scholarship allocations from Beijing and works with the Ministry of Higher Education and universities to identify prospective candidates. Shortlisted candidates are subsequently interviewed before final selections are confirmed.
Mr. Zhao also highlighted USET’s contribution to solving practical national challenges. He recalled a previous collaboration involving Drug Law Enforcement Agency that required a specialised furnace for the destruction of seized illegal drugs. According to him, USET was approached to develop the required equipment, ultimately producing a locally designed solution that met the institution’s needs at a significantly lower cost than an imported alternative.
He encouraged USET students to pursue innovation and entrepreneurship, stressing the importance of developing local solutions that could serve not only The Gambia but also markets beyond the country.
Students Express Appreciation
The scholarship beneficiaries, who are pursuing programmes in engineering introduced themselves and shared their aspirations, including specialisations in aerospace engineering, automotive engineering, electronics, and civil engineering.
Speaking on behalf of the student body, Neneh Bintou Ceesay, President of the USET Students’ Union, expressed sincere gratitude to the Chinese Embassy for its generous support.
She described the donation of the desktop computers and the scholarships as a valuable investment in students’ education and future. According to her, the computers would improve students’ access to digital resources, facilitate research and learning, and support the development of the digital skills required in today’s world.
Ceesay also encouraged the scholarship beneficiaries to make the most of the opportunity, excel academically, and become worthy ambassadors of USET and the friendship between The Gambia and China.
Staff and College of Science and Engineering Welcome Intervention
Mr. Demba Bah, Staff Welfare Representative, also expressed appreciation to the Chinese Government and Embassy for the intervention. He described the donated computers as an important contribution to USET’s institutional capacity and expressed hope that the partnership would continue to generate further opportunities for the University.
Also speaking, Dr. Alieu Jallow, Ag. Dean of the College of Science and Engineering, commended the Chinese Embassy for its generosity and support.
Dr. Jallow noted the importance of providing students with access to essential academic resources, particularly in science and engineering disciplines. He assured the Embassy that the donated desktop computers would be used responsibly and effectively to support teaching, learning, research, and student development.
Strengthening Gambia-China Cooperation
The ceremony concluded with the formal handover of the 10 HP desktop computers and recognition of the 10 scholarship beneficiaries.
The event reaffirmed the strong and enduring friendship between The Gambia and the People’s Republic of China and underscored the value of international partnerships in advancing education, skills development, innovation, and youth empowerment.
USET expressed its sincere appreciation to the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China for the support and reaffirmed its commitment to further strengthening collaboration in academic, technological, institutional, and capacity-building initiatives.
The University remains committed to building strategic partnerships that expand opportunities for its students, strengthen institutional capacity, and contribute to sustainable national development.
