Ambassador

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International University of Grand-Bassam Presidential inauguration speech

His Excellency Mr. President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire
Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs
Professor Saliou Touré
His Excellency Ambassador John Hicks
Honorable Vice-Chancellor of the International University of Grand-Bassam
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great honor for me to address you today as we celebrate the inauguration of the new President of the University of Grand Bassam.  Professor Touré is a dynamic and knowledgeable leader, exactly the right person to manage one of the sub-region’s premier universities. 

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Professor Touré on his new position.  He will be able to draw on an array of previous experiences – as the founder of the Société Mathématique de Cote d’Ivoire, as an academic, as a former Minister of Higher Education.  I have full confidence that he will nurture this young but vibrant institution, and bring it to new heights.

I would also like to express my joy in the extraordinary achievements of the International University of Grand Bassam.  This institution is the only one of its kind in all of West Africa.  It was created through a social and economic partnership, formed as a joint venture of the American government, the Ivorian government, Georgia State University, and Ivorian leaders and educators.  Though it is only in its third year of full operations, its reputation for attracting and educating the next generation of leaders is already established.  The university continues to advance in its academic mission, expanding its course offerings and pursuing full accreditation.  It is likewise succeeding in its social mission, maintaining a diverse student body made up of students from all over West Africa, forging international linkages to promote peace in the region.  The university is thriving as a result ongoing collaboration and cooperation with all of its partners.  

The American Embassy has been actively engaged with the university through regular visits and traveling programs.  I and other Mission personnel have attended the university’s programs, and the Centre Culturel Américain has organized programs for the students.  Some spouses of Mission personnel have even become teachers!  We will continue to support the International University of Grand Bassam in the future.  We see this university as a key to development in both Cote d’Ivoire and in the sub-region.

Our support of the International University of Grand Bassam is just one example of the American Embassy’s broad commitment to Cote d’Ivoire.  We will continue the fight against HIV/AIDS through the PEPFAR program, contributing $85 million this year to help ensure prevention, treatment and care for those living with the disease in Cote d’Ivoire.  We are helping communities throughout Cote d’Ivoire to promote their own development through our Self Help fund.  We are working for the rights of citizens by continuing to support locally-designed projects through our Democracy, Human Rights and Labor fund.  In the educational and cultural realm, we will continue to bring Fulbright scholars to share their expertise, and to offer exchange programs that support diversity and tolerance.

The American Embassy and the International University of Grand Bassam share a commitment to work with our Ivorian friends and partners to help build a better tomorrow for Cote d’Ivoire.  Both institutions are working actively to spread knowledge and promote peace, and will continue to work together in this mission in the future.  Professor Touré, soon to be President Touré, can count on our support.

I would again like to congratulate le Président Touré and the International University of Grand Bassam on this joyous occasion.  The best of luck to all in this new season in education.

Thank you.