Staff members at the University of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology (USET) held a press conference on Thursday, 15 October 2026, at the Kanifing campus to announce their grievances regarding a developing financial crisis. Attendees utilized the gathering to formally detail their concerns over the institution's current fiscal status. The administration at the Kanifing facility faced direct pressure from employees seeking resolution to these mounting economic issues. Organizers of the event requested transparency regarding the financial management of the university. University officials have yet to provide a public response to the specific complaints raised by the staff during the session. These proceedings occurred as the workforce expressed growing alarm about the stability of the institution's ongoing operations.
University Expansion and Financial Strain
The University of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology has grown from its original centralized facility to include four regional centers. These locations now operate in Ndemban, Kaninlai, Julangel, and the Medina Lamin Kante Skill Centre at Wasu. Demba Bah, Secretary General of the USET Staff Association, described the impact of this expansion alongside broader fiscal pressures, stating, "Our premier technical university is on the brink of total collapse due to a severe financial crisis driven by stagnant government subvention."
The Staff Association issued a formal demand for an emergency financial bailout to be delivered within one week. This funding is intended to clear outstanding staff benefits and settle statutory payments currently in arrears. As part of their proposed recovery measures, the association requested an immediate halt to all new staff recruitment. The group also called for the formation of a contract committee to be headed by a Gambian to oversee institutional agreements. Regarding the necessity of these actions, Demba Bah said, "The Staff Association will no longer sit idly by while the livelihood of our members and the future of technical education are systematically destroyed."
Recent policy changes regarding staff benefits have further increased tensions between the workforce and the university administration. University leadership moved to alter the tuition waiver policy for staff members pursuing further education at USET. Previously, staff were entitled to full waivers for these programs, but the institution now requires a 50-50 payment split between the university and the employee. Lallo Kanteh, President of the Staff Association, expressed opposition to this adjustment, noting, "Before, it was free. Now, the payment is 50-50; we don’t want it."
