On Tuesday 17th June 2008, the Medical Research Council (UK) The Gambia and the University of The Gambia signed a Memorandum of Understanding, marking the official culmination of several years of cooperation between the two institutions.
In his opening remarks, MRC (UK) The Gambia Unit Director, Professor Tumani Corrah said ‘The purpose of this MoU is to promote and expand educational research and professional development among students and staff of our two institutions – the UTG and MRC. Both stand to benefit from this cooperation.’

The Medical Research Council has been an active supporter of the University since before its inception in 2001, particularly the School of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences and the Department of Agriculture and Biomedical Science. Students from the Medical School, the School of Nursing and the School of Public Health have received formal lectures and some of them have benefited from placements in MRC’s laboratories and a number of the medical students have completed some of their medical electives at the MRC.

Vice Chancellor and Provost of the Medical School, Professor Ousman Nyan, was seconded to the University Medical School for two years from the MRC in 2002. In his remarks, Professor Nyan said ‘being asked to go to the Medical School where I was supported for the first two years by the MRC is indicative of how the relationship has been...The reality is that there has been collaboration from the word go. From the top (The Unit Director) to the programme heads to the staff at middle level…And sometimes when we just need guidance or a student is looking for a paper, we approach the MRC and we get a positive response every time we ask.’

Professor Nyan expressed his appreciation for the many MRC staff members who have taught, given seminars and examined at the School of Medicine, including Professor Tumani Corrah, Professor Richard Adegbola, Dr Assan Jaye, Professor Hilton Whittle, Professor Philip Hill, Dr Robert Walton and the late Dr Sam Dunyo.

Offering suggestions as to how the relationship might be mutually beneficial, Professor Nyan said ‘Teaching is not one of the opportunities staff get in research institutions; I think having the opportunity to meet and teach people going up the educational ladder [is valuable for both sides]’ Commenting on the School of Medicine’s research plans, Professor Nyan remarked that there were opportunities to tap into MRC’s expertise, particularly in the area of translational research. He added ‘The School of Medicine is right in the heart of the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital, which is [in turn] at the centre of the collaboration between the MRC and the Gambia Government. The School of Medicine must therefore be in a position to enhance the dialogue.’

He concluded by saying ‘One of the key things in secondment was to build bridges and build capacity and have this close link which in my own way I have tried to keep alive. I will continue to do my best…to the benefit and happiness of all of us.’

Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Andreas Steigen, expressing his pleasure at the signing of the document said ‘I honestly think this is one of the most important MoU’s that this university has signed. I am also very pleased with Professor Corrah when it comes to commitment to the University and especially the Medical School. It’s a young university – but we need all the support we can get and we hope we will also be a support and benefit for the MRC. …..I think this MoU is very well written and it is moving because there is a lot of commitment in these words…’

The signing was followed by the donation of 10 text books by the MRC to the School of Medicine titled ‘Principles of Medicine in Africa’ (Parry, Godfrey, Mabey and Gill).