University of Oregon Donates To UTG School of ITC

The University of the Gambia's Technology Association in partnership with the Network Startup Resource Centre at the University of Oregon in US recently donated networking books to the UTG School of Information Technology and Communication (ITC).

The presentation ceremony was held at the Chancery building at the Gambia Collage Campus, in Brikama.

The Network Startup Resource Centre at the University of Oregon in US in collaboration with the Network-the-World at the University Collage of London signed an MoU to support developing countries develop and maintain the Internet infrastructure in their respective countries and regions, by providing technical information, engineering assistance, training, donations of networking books and equipment among other resources.

The aim of the cooperation is to make it easier for local scientists, engineers and educators to collaborate via the Internet with their international colleagues by helping to connect interested communities . Speaking at the presentation ceremony, the deputy Vice Chancellor of UTG Dr Omar Jah Junior, commended the students for the support they are rendering towards the advancement of technology at the University. he acknowledged the rapid advancement of technology and noted that the book will go a long way in improving the theory aspect of the ITC course.

Dr Jah encouraged the student to be steadfast in making such initiatives and assured the group of UTG continued support to enable them realise their dream of making the school of ITC attain international standards. For his part, Dr Momodou Jain, the dean of the School of ITC commended the students for the love they have for their country. He said the UTG is the youngest institution but is also the most vibrant in the sub-region, noting that they have a dedicated staff and students who are always working hard to make sure that UTG is among the best in the sub-region.

Alagie Ceesay, an ex-student and member of the Network Startup Resource Centre, revealed that the NSRC coordinates the donation of computing and networking hardware by linking those in need of such materials with potential donors. According to him, technical documentation is often expensive and difficult to obtain for developing area networks, so they focus on helping build technical libraries in locations where the resources can be freely shared such as academic departments, university libraries and centrally-based networking facilities.

He added that the NSRC also has good working relationship with numerous ISPs and university networks in the US that donate equipment to areas in need. With assistance from the University of Oregon Computing Centre, the NSRC facilitates the refurbishment of the hardware if necessary and shipping it to academic networks and ISPs in developing countries.