Davinci Technical Institute Holds First Graduation Ceremony

The Daily Observer (Banjul)

Omar Wally

6 June 2011

The first batch of the students of the Davinci Technical Institute in Nemasu Layout, were last Friday entertained to a colourful graduation ceremony held at the school in Nemasu Layout, Kombo North, West Coast Region.

This batch comprised students who have successfully completed a three-year intensive learning, both formal and technical education in the school.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Kebba M Sankara, principal of the school, described the graduation as historic and a milestone in the annals of the school. According to him, since the establishment of the school, the proprietor and director, Lamin Kandeh, has been giving them his utmost support. He told the gathering that the school belongs to the community and they should therefore support them to achieve their aims and objectives.

Lamin Kandeh, proprietor and director of the school, explained that the school started as vocational institute in 1995 and he took up the challenge and the courage to establish the technical school three years ago. He commended the community of Sukuta for taking him as their son, adding that The Gambia is his home. “It is important for human beings to leave behind a good legacy; something which mankind can benefit from,” he stated.

He explained that the school is not only for Gambian students but also for people in the sub-region especially in countries such as Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone. “With education in this country, the sky is the limit. The Gambia yesterday is different from The Gambia today,” he added. He called on the graduating students to maintain their seriousness and commitment to work.

For his part, Modou Lamin Sanyang, the guest speaker of the occasion, described the occasion as historic, adding that it is the first time since the inception of the school that it has graduated students who have successfully completed three years of vigorous and fruitful learning. “Tradition dictates that on such occasions, those who are about to leave the confines of any institution be given a farewell ceremony; yours being no exception, as a befitting farewell ceremony is organized.

The world outside will see you as mirrors reflecting what type of institution you came from. This is noble but a challenging responsibility. The way you comport yourselves and the achievements you will be no doubt making, will have tremendous effects on the school,” he told the graduands. He went on to advise them that as standard bearers they should let the flag of their alma-mata fly high by excelling in whatever positive endeavours they aspire to undertake.

According to him, it is widely acknowledged that knowledge is power and scolds people who “erroneously put the acquisition of material wealth as the most important priority in life”. He went on: “It is understood that indeed knowledge is the epicenter of life. To succeed, you need 2 per cent of inspiration and 98 percent of perspiration. This is the equation of success and it fully spells out to you that you must be able to sweat in order to succeed.” Sanyang finally explained that success is not a ladder that one can climb with your hands in your pockets; and that charity begins at home but it does not end there.

Other speakers included: Mariatou Badjie-Bassen, outgoing head girl of the school; Farba Joof, a representative of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education; Paul Jatta, out-going head boy of the school; and Abass Cham, a representative of the community of Sukuta.

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