Gambia: Is Pierre Gomez a teacher?

It can be remembered that in 2012, Dr Muhammadou MO Kah, while he was Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the University of The Gambia (UTG), saw his post as professor questioned by Dr Gumbo Ali Touray, who at the time was the director of international affairs at said UTG. It has been alleged that Kah was conferred professor by the American University of Nigeria (AUN). In which Touray lamented that Kah was not qualified to be considered a full professor according to academic guidelines?

Although the literature considers that a professor is an academic degree in universities and other post-secondary education and research institutions in most countries. Professor derives from Latin as a “person who professes”. The professors are generally experts in their field and high-level teachers.

Recently, I have heard many colleagues address Pierre Gomez as a teacher, but I do not know in what capacity. Could he be an assistant professor, associate professor or full professor?

The last time I checked clause A1.3 of the University of The Gambia (UTG) Terms of Service (2007 revised edition) indicates that an appointment / promotion to the rank of Associate Professor should be based on the pursuit of academic success. , expressed in the form of publications in reputable journals (normally a minimum of four good publications since appointment as lecturer). A total of seven peer-reviewed publications or 70 points is required.

Although the same clause adds that an appointment / promotion to the rank of Full Professor must be based on a distinguished and continuing contribution to scholarship expressed primarily in the form of a substantial body of distinguished research publications (normally a minimum of five good journal publications) since appointment / promotion as Associate Professor as well as evidence of academic leadership, including ability to initiate and supervise research. A total of 12 peer-reviewed publications or 120 points is required. The candidate should normally have at least 2 years of university teaching experience as an associate professor.

Pierre is undoubtedly a household name in the UTG. However, as a knowledge student, I would be delighted to learn more about his publications in peer-reviewed journals, his research experience and the year he was awarded the chair. As the norm in academia, any published journal article is usually indexed in Google Scholar. Then I decided to search for “Pierre Gomez” in Google Scholar, LinkedIn and other search engines, but what I found were the journal publications of a Pierre Gomez of the Medical Research Council.

Based on these points above that I am compelled to ask, the golden question is Pierre Gomez (the current Acting Vice-Chancellor of UTG) an Assistant Professor, Associate Professor or Full Professor?

So I take this opportunity to congratulate him on his appointment as interim vice-chancellor of the UTG.

The author is an activist / blogger and a senior student at the said University of The Gambia.