The Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST) has unveiled its 2026 programme portfolio with a strong focus on the USET Phase 2 Development Project, a landmark initiative aimed at transforming applied sciences, engineering, and technology education in The Gambia.
Central to this portfolio is the expansion of the University of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology (USET), envisioned as a driver of skills development, innovation, and economic transformation.
USET Phase 2 will see the expansion of the Brikama campus through the construction of modern laboratories, workshops, and innovation facilities designed to meet international standards.
The project also includes the development of new academic programmes in priority sectors such as renewable energy, digital technologies, agribusiness, and construction, all aligned with national development needs and labour market demands.
A key component of the project is the establishment of a University Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub, which will provide a platform for students, researchers, and industry partners to collaborate, innovate, and commercialize ideas. In addition, the project prioritizes faculty capacity development and the strengthening of international partnerships to enhance teaching quality, applied research, and institutional sustainability.
In support of these ambitions, MoHERST will convene a High-Level Strategic Partners Breakfast Meeting in 2026 to present its comprehensive programme portfolio, including both ongoing and pipeline projects. The meeting will serve as a platform to share the government’s strategic vision and policy frameworks guiding higher education, while demonstrating alignment with national development priorities, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the African Union Agenda 2063.
The meeting will also focus on partnership development and resource mobilisation, bringing together bilateral and multilateral partners to explore areas of mutual interest. Discussions will cover co-financing and technical assistance opportunities, scholarship programmes, faculty exchanges, and institutional collaborations, alongside innovative financing mechanisms such as public-private partnerships. Funding requirements for flagship initiatives, including USET Phase 2 and the University of Education Gambia (UEG) Development Project, will be highlighted.
Overall, the High-Level Strategic Partners Breakfast Meeting is expected to strengthen coordination and alignment among development partners, reduce duplication of efforts, and establish clear follow-up mechanisms for deeper collaboration.
Through these engagements, MoHERST aims to mobilize resources, enhance partnerships, and accelerate the transformative development of higher education in The Gambia, positioning USET as a regional centre of excellence in applied sciences and technology.
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