By Landing Ceesay
At a farewell, the University of the Gambia Faculty and Staff Association (UTGFSA) and the Students’ Union praised the former Vice-Chancellor, Professor Faqir Muhammad Anjum for his service to the institution.
The term of Professor Anjum as the 4th substantive Vice-Chancellor ended on the 30th of September, 2021.
The former Vice-Chancellor of the University of The Gambia, Professor Anjum is said to have ushered in many developments at UTG, during his tenure.
The development range from research, academics, human resources, staff development & welfare, to Infrastructural Development, among others.
Dr Alieu Gibba, UTGFSA President said the journey was messy and sometimes frustrating for professor Anjum; but he never lost sight that the UTG deserves better.
“He has done his part in looking after the welfare of the staff in a bid to make UTG one of the best academic institutions in the sub-region. May Allah the Almighty grant you peace, tranquillity, and success in this life and the hereafter. May He (Allah) continue to bless the remaining part of your life and your children. You have left an outstanding legacy for the Gambians in collaboration with the staff association which will always remain in our memories,” Dr Gibba expressed.
The Head of the School of Business and Public Administration (SBPA), Dr. Momodou Mustapha Fanneh likened the Professor to a father figure to all of them.
“It is sad to say goodbye to your former boss, the time I met prof. in the UTG, he was like a father to all of us. He was always there to help all of us. I think it is very sad to part ways with him. But we want to thank Prof. Anjum for all that he has done for the University of The Gambia,” Dr. Fanneh said.
He mentioned some of the achievements registered at SBPA under Professor Faqir.
“We cannot thank him enough, especially my school (SBPA). I know my school when I joined UTG, I was the only one with a PhD, but now you can burst with so many PhDs at the School of Business and Public Administration. That’s something we cannot pay you. Prof. (referring to the former Vice Chancellor) I am so happy now because there are more than 20 PhD holders at my school, which is the school of business and Public Administration. Imagine, from 1 PhD holder to 20 PhD holders is a big achievement,” SBPA Dean said.
Dr. Fanneh extended thanks and appreciation to his former leader for the positive developments registered under him at the University of the Gambia.
Speaking on behalf of University students, Ousman Jassey, the President of the 19th Executive Council of the students’ Union described Professor Anjum as a man with integrity who demonstrated so much commitment, passion and compassion for student welfare at UTG.
“Professor Anjum has demonstrated so much commitment, passion, and compassion for the welfare and concern of students of the University of the Gambia. I have always said on many platforms and it is incumbent upon me to express that, during our time in office, there has never been an instance where the 19th Executive Council has written a request to the Honourable Vice Chancellor that was rejected. He has always approved all the requests that we have always sent to him. He supported the council financially. He has supported the council morally and he has also supported the students of the University of the Gambia,” President Jassey said.
Meanwhile, Professor Faqir Muhammad Anjum paid gratitude to the Staff Association and the students of UTG.
“I will pay my gratitude and my appreciation to all of you, especially the staff Association for such a wonderful gathering, for honouring me and the work I have done for the UTG,” he said.
Professor Anjum expressed thanks to Allah the Almighty, staff association, students, his colleagues, brothers, and sisters who have really helped to accomplish his goal in The Gambia.
The farewell was on Wednesday organised by the UTGFSA, at a local hotel in Senegambia in honour of Professor Faqir Muhammad Anjum for his leadership at the University at the Gambia.