The Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Professor Pierre Gomez, has called for strong stakeholder participation in the development of curricula for two new TVET Centres of Excellence under the World Bank-supported RISE Project.
Speaking at a one-day consultative workshop on Friday, 25 September 2026, Professor Gomez highlighted the importance of ensuring that the curricula respond directly to national priorities, industry needs and emerging labour-market demands.
The two Centres of Excellence will focus on Agribusiness in Ndemban Foni Brefet and Fisheries and Aquaculture in Kombo South, supported by a US$13 million investment in partnership with the World Bank.
The centres are being established to support economic diversification, strengthen food security, create sustainable employment opportunities for young people and advance national human capital development.
Professor Gomez said the curriculum development process must be inclusive and informed by the experiences of public and private-sector actors, practitioners, farmers, fish processors, innovators and other industry stakeholders.
He urged participants to critically review the Labour Market Analysis and provide practical inputs on existing skills gaps, emerging technologies and opportunities that should be reflected in the curricula.
The Minister further highlighted the need for curricula that are competency-based, industry-driven, innovative and practical, with emphasis on digital literacy, 21st-century skills, entrepreneurship, employability and job creation.
He noted that the initiative aligns with The Gambia’s TVET Policy 2021–2030 and the Recovery-Focused National Development Plan 2023–2027, while strengthening collaboration between training institutions and industry.
Professor Gomez reaffirmed the Ministry’s vision of establishing Centres of Excellence that will serve as models for quality TVET education in The Gambia and the wider sub-region.
He subsequently declared the one-day consultative workshop officially open.
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