What We Do

As medical students, we are cognizant of the fact that we have a responsibility not only to the health needs, concerns, and interests of our people but also to the wider world.

Here to serve you.

Our Objectives

Below are the objectives and responsibilities undertaken by UniGaMSA. Listed below is what we do as an association.

Here to serve you.

Objectives

Below are the objectives and responsibilities were undertaken by UniGaMSA. Listed below is what we do as an association.

Aim:

To nurture students’ welfare by creating an Association which can effectively carryout duties and responsibilities entrusted to it, particularly in the field of academics, research and culture, which are of interest to its members and humanity as a whole.

Objectives:

Our objectives shall be in line with National and International health policies.

  1. To unite all medical students of the University of The Gambia, so as to address their common problems.
  2. To create opportunities for the medical students to reach out to the communities and disseminate basic health information.
  3. To provide members with a conducive learning environment through the provision of essential learning materials.

  4. Ensure a disciplined and more exposed student body.

  5. To affiliate with other sister organization both within and outside the Gambia.

  6. To participate fully in National and International health fora.

  7. To ensure student empowerment through active membership, active participation in the areas of research and presentation, symposia, scientific debate and contributing to medical journals.

  8. To encourage positive dialogue with the appropriate authorities whenever the need arises.

  9. To extend humanitarian assistance to medical students and the community at large.

  10. To complement government’s efforts in the establishment and maintenance of quality and relevant medical education in The Gambia.

  1. Every student admitted/enrolled into The University of The Gambia Medical School shall be deemed a member of this Association.
  2. Membership shall cease on completion of program of study or transfer to another university or removal from the registrar of the faculty of medicine.
  3. Membership shall cease should it be a comprehensive decision reached by congress that a student’s membership is not in the best interest of the Association.
  4. All Association identity shall be returned to the Association if membership ceases.
  5. Honorary membership may be granted to individuals outside the Association.
  6. The Executive shall have power to recognize individuals for honorary membership.
  7. A simple majority of congress shall decide on the approval for honorary membership.

Composition

Elected Members
  1. The President
  2. The Vice President
  3. The Secretary General
  4. The Assistant Secretary General
  5. Treasurer
  6. Auditor
  7. Social Secretary
  8. Public Relations Officer
  9. Health Secretary
  10. Sports Secretary
Nominated Members

Within two weeks after the assumption of office, the Executive shall appoint and approve nominated
members of the Executive. The nominated members shall be;

  1.  Assistant Treasurer
  2. Assistant Social Secretary
  3.  Assistant Public Relations Officer
  4. Assistant Health Secretary
  5. Assistant Sports Secretary
  6. External Affairs Officer
Election Of Executive Members
  1. There shall be Election of Executive members which shall begin six weeks before the term of the
    existing Executive expires.
  2. An independent electoral commission shall conduct the elections.
  3. An interim government shall be appointed by the IEC in a situation where there is no election
    within the stipulated time. This government shall serve for six weeks and if elections cannot still
    hold within this time, then congress shall endorse their continuation as the new Executive.
  4.  A member shall be qualified for the office of President, Secretary General and Treasurer, if he or
    she has been a member of UniGaMSA for at least three years.
Terms Of Office
  1. An Executive council shall cease to function after a year has passed since it assumed office.
  2. The new term officially begins on the 1st of October and ends on the 30thof September, the
    following year.
  3. Handing over of Executive functions shall be two weeks after announcements of the results.
Powers And Responsibilities of The Executive
  1.  Defend the interest of the Association within the framework of the constitution and
    communicate to congress accordingly.
  2. Prepare annual budget estimates and programmers of activity, which shall be presented at the
    first general congress.
  3. Shall manage funds and give donations subjected to approval by congress.
  4. Take emergency decisions and inform the general body within 72 hours.
  5. Have the power to appoint interim Executive members in the case(s) of resignations, dismissals
    or displacements and should be communicated to the general student body within 72 hours.
    The appointment shall be subject to approval/ratification at the next general congress.
  6. Have the power to deal with any Executive member who fails to attend two Executive meetings
    in a quarter without a genuine reason.

Duties And Functions Of The Different Positions Of The Executive Council 

The President shall;
  1. Be the Head of the Association and be vested with adequate power for the smooth running of
    the Association.
  2. Be the coordinator and supervisor of all Executive meetings.
  3. Have the mandate to authorize all spending of the Association as deemed necessary by
    treasurer and other Executive members.
  4. Be a signatory to withdrawals from the Association’s account(s).
  5. Have the deciding vote in issues where there is an imminent tie in the voting in the Executive
    Council.
  6. Shall have one vote in any voting.
  7. Shall appoint the External Affairs Officer and approved by the Executive.
The Vice President
  1. Assumes the powers of the President in his or her absence or on his or her authorization.
  2. Shall chair all congressional meetings.
  3. Coordinate all affairs of housing and accommodation of the medical students.
  4. Shall be the head of the Academic Affairs Committee.
Secretary General
  1. Take the minutes of Executive meetings and congresses.
  2. Prepare the agenda of Executive and congressional meetings in consultation with the President
    and the Vice President.
  3. Issue notice to convene meetings.
  4. Have a running file of all the Associations’ correspondence and documentation.
  5. Present a quarterly report to the Executive and a terminal report to congress.
  6.  Present report at all congresses and end of tenure.
  7. Be a signatory to the Associations’ account(s).
  8. Write all correspondence on behalf of the Association.
Assistant Secretary General
  1. Assumes the powers of the Secretary General in his or her absence or on his or her
    authorization.
  2. Assist the Secretary General in carrying out his or her duties.
  3. Do all functions as assigned to him or her by the Executive.
Treasurer shall;
  1. Be the Chief accountant of the Association.
  2. Be responsible for all financial transactions.
  3. Keep the Association’s account.
  4. Be a signatory to the Association’s account(s).
  5. Not release funds from the Association’s account without the express authorization of the
    President.
  6. Be responsible for the collection, receiving and make payments of money from and into the
    account(s).
  7. Be the Chairperson of the Financial Committee.
  8. Prepare a financial report for congress.
Auditor shall;
  1. Be an independent Executive member.
  2. Be responsible for scrutinizing the utilization of the Associations’ funds.
  3. Advice the Executive in its financial transactions.
  4. Draw attention to any irregularities in the audited account(s), which in his or her opinion ought
    to be brought to the notice of the Executive or congress
  5. Draw up a balance sheet of the properties of the Association after every six months.
  6. Give a comprehensive report at every congress on the financial performance of the Executive.
Social Secretary
  1. Shall be responsible for the organization and coordination of all social activities carried out by
    the Association.
  2. Shall be the chairperson of the Social Committee.
  3. Shall be a member of the Financial Committee.
  4. Will draw up a plan of activity and a budget to present to the Executive for each activity.
Public Relations Officer (PRO) shall;
  1. Be responsible for all publications of the Association.
  2. Be the chairperson of the press committee.
  3. Organize all scientific conferences, symposia, debates, lectures and literacy programs.
  4. Be Editor-In-Chief of Newsletter and be Responsible for the sale of Newsletters.
  5. Be in charge of the Resource Center and the Press Committee.
Health Secretary shall;
  1. Coordinate all health activities of the Association.
  2. Advise the Executive on health issues.
  3. Collaborate with the relevant authorities for the participation in National and International
    health activities.
  4. Be the Chairperson of the Health Committee.
  5. Collaborate with PRO to organize health presentations
Sports Secretary
  1. Shall be responsible for all Sporting Activities of the Association.
  2. Shall head the sports committee.
  3. Organize sports tournaments.
  4. Appoint the individuals for coaches of the respective teams in the Medical School.
  5. Shall keep an inventory of all sporting materials of the Association.
  6. Establish links between Associations’ sporting bodies nationally and internationally.
  7. Shall draft regulations for all Sporting activities in general by UniGaMSA.
 Assistant Social Secretary, Assistant Public Relations Officer, Assistant Health Secretary,
Assistant Treasurer, and Assistant Sports Minister shall
  1. Be nominated by their Principal Executive Officers and approved by the elected Executives.
  2. Be able to attend Executive meetings.
  3. Shall have voting rights.
  4. Act in the capacity of their Principal Executive Officers in their absence.
External Affairs Officer
  1. Shall be responsible for all International correspondences to and from the Association as
    directed by the President.
  2. Shall be responsible for setting up the External Affairs Committee in consultation with the
    President