TiKA Launches “Zero Waste on Campus Project” at the University of The Gambia

Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TiKA) has launched the “Zero Waste on Campus Project at the University of The Gambia” at a ceremony held at the university.

The event was attended by H.E. Türker Oba, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to The Gambia; Mr. Ali Kerim, TiKA The Gambia Coordinator; Prof. Ousainou Sarr, Dean of the School of Education; Prof. Lamin K. M. Fatty, Dean of the School of Agriculture; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Malang Fanneh, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences; along with academic staff, students, members of the press and invited guests.

The project has been developed under TiKA’s 2026 Zero Waste Programme in The Gambia, aiming to strengthen environmental awareness, promote a culture of recycling and support sustainable waste management practices among young people.

Within the scope of the project, recycling containers, waste separation units and waste collection equipment have been provided for use across the University of The Gambia campus. The equipment is expected to facilitate waste separation at source, contribute to a cleaner and more organized campus environment and help establish a systematic waste management culture within the university.

In his remarks, Ambassador Türker Oba noted that the Zero Waste Project was launched on 27 September 2017 under the leadership of H.E. Emine Erdoğan, First Lady of the Republic of Türkiye and has since evolved into a significant environmental movement at both national and international levels. He also emphasized that the designation of 30 March as International Zero Waste Day and the recognition by the United Nations Development Programme reflect the global acceptance of this initiative.

Speaking at the ceremony, TiKA The Gambia Coordinator Mr. Ali Kerim underlined that the project goes beyond the provision of equipment. He highlighted the critical role of universities in shaping environmental awareness and social responsibility among younger generations, adding that the initiative aims to foster a lasting zero waste culture among students.

The project at the University of The Gambia follows the recent launch of the “Zero Waste Workshop Project in Gambian Schools,” initiated by TiKA at Gunjur Senior Secondary School. Implemented at Gunjur Senior Secondary School and Türkiye Maarif Foundation School in the capital, the programme includes three-day practical training sessions for high school students covering waste separation at source, recycling processes, environmental cleanliness, sustainable consumption habits and the reuse of materials.

As the third phase of TiKA’s 2026 Zero Waste activities in The Gambia, the establishment of zero waste stations at Bijilo Nature Park is also planned. This phase will focus on environmental protection within a natural ecosystem, promoting waste separation and cleanliness practices in one of the country’s key public nature areas.

Through these three initiatives, TiKA aims to implement its 2026 Zero Waste Programme in The Gambia through complementary interventions across schools, higher education institutions and a public natural area. The projects are designed to enhance environmental awareness among students and the wider community, promote recycling practices and contribute to sustainable development.