EDUCATION-IN-DEPTH was fortunate to have an interview with the only female lecturer in the electronic section of The Gambia Technical Training Institute (GTTI).
Ya Awa Njie is trying to make a difference in the field of science and technology in The Gambia.
A daughter to an engineer and a teacher, Ya Awa was fostered in an environment of science and technology. Her father fondly called scientist Njie, who works as a flight safety and maintenance at Gambia Civil Aviation, has been a big influence to her entering into a world that, for Gambians, is men’s.  
“Yes I grew up in a house with tools and science books. I curiously use them and was shocked by electricity many times, I was never scared or frighten. It is part of the vocation,” she said.
It was against this philosophy that Ya Awa had requested a transfer from Institute of Continuing Education (ICE) junior school to St. Peters Junior School.
She graduated from St. Peters Senior School in 2001 as a science and technology student. She studied information technology up to advance diploma at Fourmi Informatics Institute of Computer Technology. In 2003, she picked up a job in Water and Infrastructure at Kotu.   
In order to pursue her dreamed career, she enrolled at GTTI in 2004 for certificate in electrical and electronic engineering.
When doing her diploma programme, she specialised in electronics and was eventually staffed by GTTI as an assistant lecturer in the electronic section.
Ya Awa after having been crowned as 2009 Miss July 22nd Beauty Pageant, hung up to her electronic engineering ambition and thought of becoming the first Gambian AERONAUTICAL ENGINEER since Gambian president Yahya Jammeh had promised to sponsor their education up to PhD level.
Though, this is a rare case where president Jammeh promises to do something and did not, the reason for the break is unknown to Ya Awa and the others.
Miss Njie’s brilliant demonstration as a female technician had inspired all those at the final and those who watched it on GRTS television and she deserved all credibility for assistance in pursuance of her future ambition.
It is believed that the countries that surpass other in development had surpassed them in science and technology then how about us?  
Ya Awa out of desperation in pursuing her career training as an aeronautical engineer and as a promoter of science and technology in schools have enrolled for her Higher National Diploma (HND) in electrical and engineering at GTTI.
Ya Awa believed that MOBSE is not still using the required methodologies in sensitizing and promoting science and technology in our schools. “I feel that those going around sensitising people are not properly doing the job. If you want to teach someone about fishing, you should use the fishermen and provide the required materials to equip them. As seeing is believing, they should take along with them those who are scientifically oriented and are practicing it. This includes female doctors, carpenters, engineers, marine pilots etc, have sessions with communities, video shows, drama, demonstrations among other featuring the significance of science and technology in schools”, she opined. According to Mss Njie, science is not only about chemistry and physics but also daily activities of man’s life.
She used practical examples as empirical factors; like in the kitchen before one light the fire for cooking or what so ever, series of scientific activities takes place. Likewise, when one intends to switch on the television in the sitting room, when the plug is switched off, there is no electricity and when on there is electricity. In addition, she used television set and the remote controller. According to her explanation, the buttons on remote controller correlate to those on the TV set. The controller is use to command the TV set of what the user wants either to put the TV on, reduce or increase the volume, change channel or switch off using infrared light. To prove this, she said that if you put your hand in front of a remote controller, the TV cannot see or command the signal and as a result nothing will be effect on the TV.
To promote science and technology in school is the incumbent upon all. The young female scientist stated that parent have major role to play in inculcating or nurturing science and technology in children. They suggested that parents should observe children in doing thing at home and encourage them towards building concept in science.
As a scientist in the making, she wants schools to make science as a fun. Through this, children would have appetite for the subject and attract their attentions. She wants teachers to allow pupils to interact with scientific apparatus, organize quiz, debates and symposiums on scientific themes, exhibition day for scientific projects and career day for science students. These will greatly help pupils to love and progress in science and technology in schools starting from lower basic to senior secondary school. She advised the female folk to take up science and technology as a career and do not view it as a discipline for men but for all. She is the only female in her department but compete the men to the maxis.
Ya Awa Njie want everybody to learn and have basic knowledge in electronic as we are in the digital world. “This is because almost everyone use mobile phones which is electronic, it is use in banks, hospital, sports, video etc this is why I want everyone to have a basic knowledge in electronic”, Ya Awa concluded.