23/08/2026
UEG CBPSS Cohort 7 Undertakes Community Engagement Field Trip to the URR.
The University of Education The Gambia (UEG), through the Community Based Policing and Security Studies (CBPSS) Programme, successfully conducted a five-day community engagement field trip to the Upper River Region (URR) from Monday, 17th to Friday, 21st August 2026.
A total of 43 students from the 7th Cohort, accompanied by five lecturers, participated in the field trip, which provided an important opportunity for students to connect classroom learning with real-life community experiences.
The field engagement focused on fostering direct dialogue between students and community members on key issues relating to community security, emerging threats, local security concerns, community-based initiatives, conflict prevention, and relationships between communities and security institutions.
During the five-day exercise, the students engaged with six communities, including Bajonkoto, Perrai Tenda and Sutukonding, among others. Through interactive discussions and community consultations, participants gained valuable insights into the lived experiences, perspectives and security priorities of communities in the region.
The field trip also provided students with practical exposure to the principles of community based policing, participatory security management, stakeholder engagement and collaborative approaches to peace and security.
For the CBPSS students, the exercise was more than an academic requirement, it was an opportunity to listen, learn and understand how communities themselves contribute to creating safer and more resilient societies.
UEG continues to promote experiential learning and community engagement as essential components of professional education, equipping students with the knowledge, skills and practical competencies required to address contemporary security and development challenges.
From the classroom to the community, UEG is preparing professionals who understand that sustainable security begins with partnership, trust and meaningful community engagement.