On 26 September, the Ambassador of Senegal, Her Excellency Dr. Adrienne Diop, visited Limkokwing University’s Cyberjaya Campus to discuss future collaboration between the Government of Senegal and Limkokwing University.
The Republic of Senegal is situated in Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania. It is one of the most stable democracies in Africa and has a long history of participating in international peacekeeping and regional mediation. Senegal’s economy is driven by mining, construction, tourism, fisheries and agriculture.
The country’s key export industries include phosphate mining, fertiliser production, agricultural products and commercial fishing and it is also working on oil exploration projects.
Upon arrival, Limkokwing University faculty representatives and staff gave HE Dr. Adrienne Diop a tour of the Presidential Library. She was given an overview of the University’s unique international ecosystem where students from over 150 nations network and learn from each other as one cohesive society on campus.
After the overview and tour, HE Dr. Diop then met up with Tan Sri Datuk Sri Paduka Dr. Lim Kok Wing, Founder and President of Limkokwing University for collaboration discussion.
Senegal has recently opened a new city near the town of Diamniadio which HE Dr. Diop referred to as a small Putrajaya (Malaysia’s administrative centre), and which she hopes will be the new location for Limkokwing University’s new campus in Senegal.
60% of Senegal’s population are youngsters, thus Limkokwing University’s unique curricula which concentrate on Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is really well suited for a developing nation like Senegal, HE Dr. Diop remarked. “Knowledge is best used when it’s shared. Keeping it does not help advance anything. You need to push this knowledge so that everybody can use it.”
During the discussion, Tan Sri Lim announced that 20 scholarships will be given to Senegalese students to study at Limkokwing University.
HE Dr. Diop expressed her gratitude to Tan Sri Lim for giving these scholarships. According to her, as Senegal doesn’t have much in terms of oil or gas (natural resources), the country focusses on developing human capital development. Her Government is highly appreciative of the scholarships offered by the University as it will contribute much to the development of Senegal.
“Reducing the gap starts from reducing the gap in education. Senegalese are cultural and artistic. They have the potential and substance, they just need a push,” HE Dr. Adrienne Diop concluded.
