University of the Gambia

About

The University of The Gambia (UTG) is a non-profit, co-educational public institution of higher education, emerging as The Gambia's first officially recognized tertiary institution, and fulfilling the longstanding desire to improve the educational landscape. Prior to this critical development, students often emigrated to Senegal or Europe for greater educational opportunities, both costly and rare, especially in the newly independent economy. Courses officially began in March 1999 following an Act of the National Assembly of The Gambia, which serves as the primary center for academic excellence in the country.

The UTG initially began operating from the Management Development Institute (MDI) in Kotu-Kanifing, the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (formerly the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital) in Banjul, and the Gambia College in Brikama, which served as affiliated sites for academic activities. However, in 2007, the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Technology (MoHERST) was established, with the stated aim of aiding The Gambia's socio-economic development through higher education. Their efforts successfully expanded opportunities, particularly in Farafenni and Faraba Banta. Since 1999, an additional 8 institutions and 79 accredited tertiary institutions, some directly linked to UGT and others independent, have opened.

As of September 2024, the total number of staff was ~695, with 435 serving in academic positions. By October 2025, the student population was roughly 8,000. The university offers 50 undergraduate programs and 17 graduate programs—with 5 being doctoral (PhD) programs. Their broad curriculum spans agricultural and environmental sciences, medicine and allied health sciences, law, business and public administration, education, engineering and architecture, amongst many other disciplines.

Adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.