A university at the edge of the Sahara Desert!
- The University Gaston Berger at Saint Louis, Sénégal, is the best University in Sénégal. They are building branch at Guéoul. It’s official. Construction started summer 2015
- The City of Guéoul and the village of Bandigne have donated 100 hectares (250 acres). It is on the easterly side of Guéoul, right next to a famous baobab tree which is over 2000 years old. It is called Gwee Bireme Coumba. You can read the history on our web site.
- Six departments: renewable energy, arts and communication, agriculture, business and entrepreneurship, education.
- UGB has set aside $200,000 toward initial costs and will set aside the same amount for the next three years ($800,000).
- Dr. Niane, Minister of Higher Education, announced in early September 2013 that Senegal will build Phase I,with $10 million committed to the project. The Republic of Senegal has committed $2,000,000 to the development of Phase I, the construction of administration and other key buildings. Sénégal intends to fund an additional $8,000,000 over the next 4 years.
- UGB has promised 50% enrollment of women. Our boursieres have first priority, girls from Guéoul have second priority, girls from the Louga Region have third priority. Friends of Guéoul is increasing its academic enhancement programs, such as the e-learning program, so that boursieres will be ready for university admission.
- Opening class begins in about a year with initial enrollment of 400 freshmen students, and 400 a year thereafter. That’s Senegal’s goal.
- The Saint Louis (Sénégal) Rotary has agreed to collaborate with Englewood Rotary (Colorado) on a Rotary International grant. (They collaborated in the previous RI grant in which the Computer Classroom was established.).
And now. Introducing our American team and key collaborators: Left to right.
This was the February 2013 meeting that launched the project development. That’s me next to Dr. Mary Teuw Niane. He was the Recteur/President of UGB for about 5 years. Last fall the President of Sénégal appointed him as Minister of Higher Education. Sénégal is extremely lucky to have this brilliant and wise man in that role.
Next to him is Khalifa Dia, Mayor of Guéoul. This accomplished man was born in Guéoul. He acquired an advanced degree, he was in management for the Sénégal phone company for 20 years. He then formed his own highly successful construction enterprise. He always works for the people of Guéoul. For example, he was instrumental in the development of the new Guéoul high school/Lycee.
John Montana is the founder and President Emeritus of Friends of Guéoul. He is a leading national expert in the complex legal field of records retention.
Jerry Spencer is Chairman and founder of Summit Smith Healthcare Facilities and has designed more than 700 projects totaling more than 2.5 million square meters.
Brent Gatewood, MBA CRM is the owner of consultIG and principal of Montana & Associates, both organizations specializing in information governance and records management.
Friends of Gueoul is exploring collaborations with US schools for shared projects, both within the existing organization and also in partnership with the new University.