143 Students Graduate At President’s International Award Scheme

The Daily Observer (Banjul)

Aji Fatou Faal and Jama Jack

28 July 2011

One hundred and forty-three students recently graduated at the President’s International Award Scheme (PIA) in Bakau.

Speaking at the ceremony, Musa Mbye, deputy permanent secretary (DPS) at the Ministry of Youths and Sports, on behalf of his boss, congratulated the graduating students on successfully completing their three years of studies.

He explained that the importance of skills acquisition, which is technically known as Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET), is referred to as education and training that prepares a person for gainful employment and also brings about learning which makes people more productive socially and economically.

DPS Mbye revealed that the Ministry of Youths and Sports is indeed aware that the capacity of any country to attract appropriate and relevant investment is dependent on the pool of skills available.

He advised the graduates to continue to struggle hard in life and always maintain determination, hard work, respect and discipline. “Any movement towards self-sufficiency lends itself to success in other areas of life including vocational aptitude. Please explore and discover, make informed choices and try new things”, he concluded.

For his part, Ousainou Sarr, acting executive director of the President’s International Award Scheme, spoke at length on the new plans that the PIA will come up with in September this year, to better equip the students. He added that they will introduce plumbing and machinery at the institute.

Sarr urged the graduates to work hard, noting that if they have discipline and respect they would get everything they need in this universe. He further advised them to utilize the knowledge they gained from the centre and not to leave it for any other job.

Malang Jassey, director of Youths and Sports, urged the new graduates to be good ambassadors of the centre as they step out of the President’s International Award Scheme.He prayed and wished them good as they enter into the world of struggle.

Edrissa Colley of the National Training Authority (NTA) and Marcel Mendy, executive secretary of the National Youth Council (NYC), both spoke and shared similar sentiments. Ensa Jarju, the outgoing head boy, delivered the vote of thanks.

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