By Amadou Jallow
At the ninth convocation ceremony of American International University West Africa (AIUWA) last Saturday, Chancellor Dr. Dinesh Shukla unveiled an ambitious plan to adopt six villages in The Gambia’s Kombo East district for community health education and awareness. The initiative, scheduled to commence by the end of 2025, aims to engage AIUWA students and faculty in enhancing health outcomes and increasing awareness about communicable and non-communicable diseases in rural communities.
Speaking to graduates, faculty, and dignitaries, Dr. Shukla emphasized the university’s commitment to community service. “This is a tiny step because each journey begins with one step. We want to cover the entire Gambia, but we need everyone’s participation,” he said. The targeted villages—Mandinaba, Farababanta, Jiboroh border, Kafuta, Duwasu, and Omorto, all located in the West Coast Region—will benefit from health education and advisory services led by AIUWA’s students and faculty in collaboration with The Rural Child (RC), a community-based organization dedicated to youth empowerment, education, health, and environmental protection.
AIUWA, a recipient of the 2016 African Education Leadership Award in Mauritius, is renowned for its rigorous academic programs and innovative approach to training healthcare professionals. The university fosters a dynamic learning environment where future physicians, dentists, pharmacists, scientists, and other health professionals are equipped to lead in their fields, advance medical sciences through research and scholarship, and collaborate with partner institutions to deliver exceptional care to patients and communities.
Dr. Shukla highlighted the initiative’s role in encouraging students to incorporate community service as a core component of their education. “Today, I see the heart and soul of AIUWA, and this convocation ceremony touches my heart because I believe there will be many more challenges, whether political, economic, or health,” he said. He urged students to apply their knowledge to address pressing global health issues, citing past and ongoing crises such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, Ebola, and COVID-19. “I want our health science students to be part of the solutions. So put your education and training to work,” he added.
The community health program will focus on educating residents about preventing and managing diseases, with AIUWA students and faculty guiding best practices for health and hygiene. By partnering with The Rural Child, the initiative will promote broader community development goals, including youth empowerment and environmental sustainability. This collaborative effort underscores AIUWA’s commitment to extending its impact beyond the classroom and into underserved areas.
The announcement was met with enthusiasm from attendees, who recognized the potential for the program to transform lives in the targeted villages. By equipping students with practical experience in community health, AIUWA aims to prepare them for leadership roles in addressing public health challenges locally and globally. The initiative also aligns with the university’s mission to foster innovation and social responsibility among its graduates.
As AIUWA moves forward with this initiative, it sets a precedent for how educational institutions can play a pivotal role in community development. The adoption of Mandinaba and the five other villages marks a significant step toward improving health outcomes in The Gambia’s rural areas, with the potential to serve as a model for similar programs nationwide. Dr. Shukla’s vision of covering the entire country reflects AIUWA’s long-term commitment to creating a healthier, more informed society through education and service.
The convocation ceremony, attended by graduates, families, and dignitaries, celebrated the academic achievements of AIUWA’s students and the university’s growing role as a catalyst for positive change in The Gambia.
