Teesside ‘twins’ with the Gambia

The University has forged a new link with the University of the Gambia.

We've donated 2,000 surplus books from our Learning Resource Centre and soon 87 personal computers from the School of Computing will be shipped over.

The link was initiated by Jane Mackenzie, one of the University’s international representatives. Jane used to teach in the Gambia, and the Gambian President AJJ Yahya Jemmeh is one of her former students. The President is also the University’s Chancellor.

Jane is aiming to raise £25,000 to help further update the University, possibly through the United Nations and the Commonwealth Health fund.

The University of the Gambia is a sharp contrast to the University of Teesside, with just over 2,000 students, mainly enrolled on part-time sponsored courses.

This is a very supportive relationship Professor Cliff Allan, Teesside's Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), said: 'This is similar to the twinning arrangements between the UK’s towns and cities and their equivalents abroad. This is a very supportive relationship and we are helping the University to develop a new infrastructure and academic programmes. We want to establish a number of links, such as matching staff in areas of mutual interest to support their curriculum development.' Two members of Teesside staff, Dr Mark Simpson and Dr Dave Morland have both recently been on a British Council sponsored visit to the University of the Gambia. They both work in the School of Social Sciences & Law, Mark is an Assistant Dean and Dave a Subject Group Leader for Criminology and Sociology.

Their visit was the first by Teesside staff, and they attended the University’s equivalent of a graduation ceremony, entitled the convocation. The ceremony was held in the country’s international stadium, and attended by the President.

Discuss ways Teesside can support academics While there, the duo also met the Solicitor General, the Lord Chief Justice and the Permanent Secretary of the Department of Tourism. They also met with all Heads of Department across the University to discuss ways in which Teesside could support academics and assist with curriculum development.

Dr Mark Simpson said: 'The President was very complimentary about the work we are doing with their University. The graduates were studying very similar courses to the ones we offer here, such as law, business, early years’ education and science. The people were so nice and appreciative of the support we’ve offered, there’s such a desire for education among the young people.'

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