Committee Of Vice Chancellors And Principals , Launched On Njala Campus

Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals, a conglomerate of Heads of all Tertiary Institutions in Sierra Leone has been officially launched on Njala Campus by The Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Commission (TEC).



The official launch attracted Vice Chancellors and Principals from University Of Sierra Leone, Njala University, Ernest Bai Koroma University of Science and Technology, University of Makeni (UNIMAK),Milton Margai College of Education and Technology, Eastern Polytechnic, Northern Polytech, and Freetown Teacher's
College.

University Registrar, Aly Turay described the initiative as an epoch making event putting into cognizance the composition of the academic gurus in the Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals.

Giving a general overview of the ceremony during the historic inauguration of the much needed Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals, Vice Chancellor and Principal, Njala University, Professor Ernest Tom Ndomahina said the dream was inspired by the Proactive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Commission, Professor Koroma. He said Universities in Sierra Leone face peculiar challenges ranging from strategic development, direction to the basic resources and expertise required for effective service delivery; most of these challenges he went on can be addressed through consultations among colleague Vice Chancellors and Principals in Sierra Leone and the Sub Region.
He stressed on the importance of the Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals alluding the initiative to a German Model called German Rectors' Conference / Hochschulrektorenkonferenz also known as ''the Voice of the Universities''
While it addresses all manner of topics related to universities; research, teaching and learning, continuing professional education for academics, knowledge and technology transfer, international cooperation and administrative self-management, the German Rectors' Conference is the political and public voice of Universities and provides a forum for the process of forming joint policies and practices.

Vice Chancellor and Principal, Ernest Bai Koroma University of Science and Technology, Professor Abdullai Mansaray said being one of the strong advocates for the creation of the Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals, he is personally thrilled to seeing that it's a dream come true. He said with a strong synergy, they can fight a common course and collectively achieve a common goal for academic advancement in Sierra Leone.
He urged colleague Vice Chancellors and Principals to eschew the competitive trait innate in some of them adding that it has been a major canker worm for stunted academic growth in the country'' we must not see ourselves as competitors
rather as partners in development'' Professor Abdullai Mansaray opined.

Vice Chancellor and Principal, University of Makeni, Professor Father Joe Turay described the initiative and official launch as a landmark achievement in the history of academia.
He urged academics present to perceive themselves as partners in a common course to champion academic unity and advancement for promotion of quality, affordable and accessible education for all. ‘‘This is a formidable one, we should work assiduously to ensure it thrives'' Professor Father Joe Turay, Vice Chancellor and Principal, University of Makeni, reiterated,
Similar sentiments were made by Principals from MMCET, East and Northern Polytechnic.
President, Academic Staff Association, Njala University, Dr. Samba Moriba, on behalf of colleague Academic Presidents in Sierra Leone and members of the academe, lauded the Vice Chancellors and Principals for conceiving what he described as a big leap and a big step forward but however noted that the Academic Staff Associations will not renege on their scared duties to demand for better and decent conditions of service for their membership.
Before the Official launch of the Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals, Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Commission, Professor David S.M. Koroma said T.E.C. appreciates the gesture and pledged maximum support to the committee. He said being an academic and professional body for higher education in the country, the Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals presents the hopes, dreams and aspirations of quality education in the country.
While also pushing for spirit of collaboration and partnership among its members, Professor David S.M. Koroma urged all to see their mission as a noble one and to help chat a proper way for the future of education in Sierra Leone.
Commitments by members present and an interim executive committee headed by Professor Abdullai Mansaray, Vice Chancellor and Principal, EBK University climaxed the official launch of the Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals In Sierra Leone.
©Jonathan Hindolo Kurabu