Gambiaj.com – (BEIJING, China) – In a landmark move set to boost technical and vocational education in The Gambia, the Crab Island Technical and Vocational Education Training Foundation (CITVETF) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the prestigious Jiangsu Maritime Institute (JMI) of Nanjing, China. This partnership was formalized during the China-Africa TVET Cooperation Consortium (CATCC) Annual Conference held in Beijing on September 5, 2024, as part of the broader Forum on China and Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
Representing the Crab Island TVET Foundation, Hon. Ousman Sillah, the Foundation’s Chairperson, joined forces with Ms. Chen Xiao Quin, Vice President of Jiangsu Maritime Institute, to ink the agreement. The MoU marks a significant step in strengthening educational ties between The Gambia and China, aiming to enhance the technical skills of Gambian youth through advanced training and institutional collaboration.
The signing ceremony was a focal point of the CATCC conference, which brought together key stakeholders in education from across Africa and China. Hon. Sillah, accompanied by Mr. Matarr John, Director of Crab Island TVET Centre in Banjul, also participated in the China-Africa-UNESCO High-Level Dialogue on Cooperation in Education and Cultural Heritage Protection, further cementing the Foundation’s role in international educational exchanges.
During the event, Hon. Sillah and the Gambian delegation were warmly received by the Jiangsu Maritime Institute, where they engaged in discussions with JMI’s President, Professor Wen Huabing, and other senior officials. The talks focused on implementing the MoU, with both parties expressing their commitment to fostering a mutually beneficial partnership.
Professor Wen emphasized that the collaboration aligns with President Xi Jinping’s policy of strengthening China-Africa ties, particularly in the field of technical and vocational education. He assured full support for the partnership, recognizing its potential to contribute to the development of skilled labor in The Gambia.
Hon. Sillah described the MoU as a “timely and significant milestone” for the young Gambian training institution. “The partnership with Jiangsu Maritime Institute, a globally recognized leader in maritime training with over 70 years of experience, will provide invaluable benefits to the Crab Island TVET Foundation,” he stated. He highlighted the importance of this collaboration in supporting the ongoing expansion and transformation of the Crab Island TVET Centre, which is currently undergoing physical upgrades and introducing new, demand-driven courses.
The partnership will focus on various areas of cooperation, including joint educational and technical training programs, exchange of curricula and teaching materials, faculty and student exchange programs, and co-hosting skills competitions. These initiatives are designed to bolster the technical capacities of Gambian students, preparing them for the global job market.
Reflecting on the broader impact of the partnership, Hon. Sillah noted the critical role that skill development has played in China’s rapid technological and social advancement. He expressed optimism that similar investments in skills training could drive significant progress in The Gambia.
In addition to representing the Crab Island TVET Foundation, Hon. Sillah also utilized the visit to promote skills and apprenticeship development across Africa in his capacity as Secretary General of the Sub-Saharan Africa Skills and Apprenticeship Stakeholders Network (SASASNET).
The Crab Island TVET Foundation delegation returned to Banjul on September 10, 2024, bringing back a renewed sense of purpose and a strategic partnership that promises to elevate the standard of vocational education in The Gambia.
