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| Dr.ABS Taal |
Dr. ABS Taal was a Gambian academic and politician he was
born in Banjul the capital city of The Gambia. He completed his high school
education at Methodist High School before receiving his B. A. Hons in History
and Political Science and a Master’s Degree in Political Science both from the
New England University, Armidale in Australia. After the completion of his Master’s
Degree with distinction he proceeded to the Massey University, Palmerton, New
Zealand where he earned a Ph.D., Business Studies. With dissertation focuses on “An
evaluation of the role and effects of tourism policies on the development and
growth of the tourist industry in New Zealand and in Fiji” a
comparative study: a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements
for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Business Studies.
Dr. Taal was among the first Gambians to earn a Ph.D at a
world renowned prestigious university at a time when the idea of university education
was not in the plans of The Gambia government to build one for her citizens. He
served as Secretary General of The Gambia UNESCO National Commission and,
later, was appointed Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education where he
was responsible for the implementation of the national education policy as the
Ministry’s administrative head.
During this period he also served as a part-time faculty member
of the European Peace University in Stadtschalaing, Austria. He also served as
Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President of the Republic of The
Gambia, functioning as a technical adviser. During his tenure in the Office of
the President, Dr. Taal was a member of the official delegation to the United
Nations General Assembly meeting of September 1995.
Upon retirement from the civil service, he joined the
University of The Gambia as a senior lecturer in political science, management,
public administration and tourism. He was co-founder, along with Dr. John Meyer
(Norwich University and Champlain College) of The Gambia-Vermont link and the
University of The Gambia Service-Learning Association. Over the years he has
hosted Norwich University students and faculty in The Gambia.
He published several academic papers, such as the influential
"Pan-Africanism - An African liberation ideology against the domination of
Africans by Whites".
He was awarded International Visiting Academic at the
Teesside University in Middlesborough, United Kingdom and further awarded 10
Years’ Service Award UTG. He was also involved in Cross-Cultural Research
Studies at the Teesside University where he conducted research on Muslims and
Non-Muslim community relations in North East of England.
He was a member of UTG consulting team as consultant on
Governance and Human Rights in the Gambia for The Association of
Non-Governmental Organisations (Tango). In 2012 UTG he was consultant for UNECA
on Monitoring Good Governance in the Gambia 2004 and 2007 UTG consultant for
UNECA on Dynamics of Electoral Governance in the Gambia 2012.
Dr. Taal was not only
a lecturer but a mentor and a father to many students. Most of his students are
currently working in the international organizations across the globe. The role
he played in the Gambia educational and political sector cannot be narrated
within an hour neither a day.
He was an intellectual who treat all with respect and love
despite of their age, gender, religion and race. I remember when he once told
me Alieu be tolerant and always try to make a positive impact where ever you
are on earth. He spent most of his time helping the needy as per achieving
their mission, as he believed that knowledge is the only tool that can
transform the world for better.
He was one time offered the opportunity to lecture in one of
the European university with a high pay but he rejected the offer to serve the
University of The Gambia for a better Gambia. As he believed that The Gambia
belongs to The Gambians both those home and abroad and it is we The Gambians
who can make it the last place of hope on earth.
O Allah, forgive Alieu Badara Saja Taal and elevate his
station among those who are guided. Send him along the path of those who came
before, and forgive us and him.
To be continued……
By: Saidina Alieu
Jarjou
Blogger/Political
Activist
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