By Ibrahim Joenal Sesay
232news
Sierra Leone Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh launched the University of Sierra Leone Endowment Fund this past Friday 27th January, at the New Multi-Purpose Hall, Fourah Bay College, Freetown.
Vice Chancellor and Principal, USL, Brig-Gen Prof Foday Sahr, in his welcome statement and purpose of the event said in 2020 President Bio challenged all of them to think outside the box to support the government by raising funds.
He said the current Chancellor and Chairman of the Court in 2022 consider the idea of having the Endowment Fund.
He went on to say the success and sustainability of the Endowment Fund depend on the alumni, well wishes among others, calling on all who are passionate about the institution to embrace the initiative as those who actively contribute in cash or in kind will be highly recommended.
He emphasized that having an Endowment Fund will create an opportunity for them to diversify.
The Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr Alpha Tejan Wurie, said the government has done so much but there is so much more that need to be done.
He described the move as very laudable and called for the need to look at how similar program can be rolled.
“So much have been done but we have a long way to go. This is a potential vehicle for us to invest in ourselves. Alhaji Tunda Cole has shown the way and this is the main direction,” the minister said.
He recalled some of the strides the government has taken over the years for the transformation of education in the country and the hard times they went through.
Chancellor and Chairman of the Court, USL, Dr James Sanpha Koroma disclosed that his commitment to the Endowment Fund involved his personal engagement in the university as an undergraduate student, and his tenure as a research student over the years among others.
He recalled his days as a university student in the 60s and now when he came as a Chancellor, what he saw was quite different from what is happening now which according to him, he wants to reverse
He said during the 60s most of the facilities on the campus is no less than a hotel downtown.
He went on to say after his appointment he discovered that no amount of subvention or student fees can able to sustain the university, pointing out that it is necessary for them to have such Funds as government cannot support them fully but to find a sustainable way.
“This is a standard for universities all around the world. Let us all work towards formalising the Fund. I want to commit myself even after my tenure to continue to raise funds for the university,” he said.
Dr Sanpha disclosed that the account has been opened for all to give their support and commitment, adding that the University Endowment Fund is primarily being established from the receipt of charitable donations from private individuals, corporations, foundations, associations, and organizations.
Launching the Endowment Fund, Sierra Leone Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh said there is no suitable time for such an event than now when the country is ranking very high in transforming education around the world, reiterating that Sierra Leone is one of five global champions in transforming education.
He said Sierra Leone is in an era of free quality education, and that speaks volumes about their determination and conviction as a people to transform the education sector, noting that the education landscape can never be the same again as enrolment is increasing at a very alarming speed.
He disclosed that the government is spending 22% of the national budget on education.
From the Vice President’s statistics, they have about 27 thousand students in the university and they are very satisfied as a government.
“Increase in public exam passes, more girls being enrolled in sciences and investment in technical education has doubled,” he said
He said similar investment has been done in others such as health, energy, and agriculture.
“Financial resources alone are not enough to turn around an institution,” the VP said.
He went on to say the challenges in the university are not only about money, but also human resources and how they govern the academic ecosystem.
He called on the university as they are looking for additional resources, they should create and invest in science, technology and innovation as it is vital for them to have a trade-dependent economy.
The USL Endowment Fund Leadership was presented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, IPAM, Mrs. Miriam E. Conteh-Morgan.
Mr Abdoulie Jan Janneh, Executive Director, Mo Ibrahim Foundation is the President of the Fund, Alhaji Ing Dr. Babatunde Cole, Executive Chairman, NP Group Ltd is the first Vice President of the Fund and Mrs. Mariama Francess J. Jajua is the Second Vice President of the Fund.
