President Obiang Cites Higher Education as One of His Government's Achievements

BATA, Equatorial Guinea, April 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea called the establishment of the national university one the achievements of his government in ceremonies at Bata on March 29.  

Presiding over the graduation ceremony for 230 students in the public administration and private enterprise fields at the Equatorial Guinea National University (UNGE), the president recalled the dire lack of trained professionals in the country when he became president and the need to establish a national university.

"UNGE is one of the achievements that the Government has harvested, keeping in mind that the greatness of a nation depends on the complete and moral education of its citizens and that that level is reached in the classrooms of the university," President Obiang said.

The president encouraged the new graduates to participate in and contribute to the country's development, saying, "Any trained person is useful in all areas; whether in public administration or in private enterprise."  

Education is one of the priorities outlined in Equatorial Guinea's Horizon 2020 development plan, which was set in motion by President Obiang to move the country toward a sustainable and emergent economy. The plan includes the development of new schools and teacher training.

UNGE was established in 1995. Last year, the university had 4,352 students, of which 2,633 were men and 1,719 were women.  The enrollment includes students from Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, Gabon and the United States, among other nationalities. The university has graduated 1,308 students. Equatorial Guinea has an estimated population of some 670,000.

The presidents of the universities of Central Africa and the Republic of Gabon also attended the ceremony.

Earlier, in his role as Chairman of the African Union, President Obiang presided over the inauguration of eight laboratories in Bata's School of Medicine.

About Equatorial Guinea

The Republic of Equatorial Guinea (Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial) is the only Spanish-speaking country in Africa, and one of the smallest nations on the continent. In the late-1990s, American companies helped discover the country's oil and natural gas resources, which only within the last five years began contributing to the global energy supply. Equatorial Guinea is now working to serve as a pillar of stability and security in its region of West Central Africa. The country will host the 2011 Summit of the African Union. For more information, visit http://www.guineaecuatorialpress.com.

This has been distributed by Qorvis Communications, LLC on behalf of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea. More information on this relationship is on file at the United States Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.

SOURCE Republic of Equatorial Guinea

WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?

440k+
Newsrooms &
Influencers

9k+
Digital Media
Outlets

270k+
Journalists
Opted In

GET STARTED