President Adama Barrow has said the University of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology (USET) was established to produce “the right graduates” capable of transforming The Gambia’s development potential into practical national assets.

Speaking at the university’s second convocation ceremony, President Barrow said his government created USET to respond to the country’s development needs, particularly in engineering, innovation and applied sciences.

“My government established USET to act decisively on developmental considerations and the aspirations of our nation,” he said.

He pointed to The Gambia’s expanding road networks, coastline resources, agricultural potential and emerging industries, saying these sectors require skilled engineers and innovators to unlock their full value.

“The Gambia has coastlines of strategic value, growing road networks, expanding industries, and an agricultural sector of enormous potential,” he said.

“These are the opportunities that USET graduates are equipped to transform into lasting national assets.”

The president stressed that the university was not created simply to increase graduate numbers, but to ensure the country produces professionals with practical technical skills.

“USET was not established simply to produce graduates. It was established to produce the right graduates,” he said, adding that engineers are needed to design infrastructure suited to West African conditions and support key national systems.

President Barrow urged graduates to apply their knowledge to solve real national challenges, particularly in infrastructure, energy and industrial development.

He also highlighted improvements in USET’s facilities, saying the institution now has modern laboratories and learning spaces aimed at promoting innovation, entrepreneurship and research.

“I am particularly pleased that USET now possesses modern laboratories and learning facilities designed to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, research, and job creation,” he said.

By Adama Makasuba