Ministry of Technical and Higher Education press conference

MINISTRY OF TECHNICAL AND HIGHER EDUCATION'S PRESS CONFERENCE ON ISSUES BORDERING AROUND THE UNIVERSITY OF SIERRA LEONE AND MORE 6th February 2024 UPDATES The Minister of Technical and Higher Education Dr. Ramatulai Wurie revealed that, by the close of business today(6th February 2024), the list of Sierra Leone Grant-in-aid will be published and she thanked the public for their patience. Over 3000 students are expected to benefit from the SLG. She added that, even though the Grant-in-aid will phase out, some components will be reserved for female STEM students, persons with disability, and children of teachers. She went further to state that, the Student Loan will be gradually rolled out for all to benefit. Dr. Wurie informed the public that an investment conference on the Student Loan will be held to encourage public/private investments to ensure sustainability in the Student Loan Scheme. Minister Dr. Wurie disclosed that Kono University has started lectures. The ongoing programs they are currently lecturing are Mining Engineering, Computer Science, Environmental Science, and Agricultural Science. 158 students are currently offering the courses mentioned above. The government is currently using existing resources and infrastructure until the construction of the Kono University is completed. The Minister addressed the ongoing issues surrounding the appointment of the Vice Chancellor and Principal and the dissolution of the University Court(USL). She said the decision to appoint an Acting Vice Chancellor and Principal was done in good faith to fill an existing vacuum left behind by Professor Foday Sahr who was appointed by His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio to serve in another capacity. According to the Minister, her action was done after a series of engagements with University stakeholders to ensure the University is in line with the calendar events. About the dissolution of the University Court, the Minister said she acted on the advice of the Tertiary Education Commission which has the mandate to advise the Government when it comes to tertiary education. The University Court was found to be ineffective and created all sorts of issues that were not in line with the mandate of the University Court. So TEC advised the Ministry to dissolve the Court. With the existing controversies, Minister Dr. Wurie informed the public that, the appointed acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Lawrence Kamara has tendered his resignation and the Minister has graciously accepted it. An oversight committee has been established as recommended by TEC to serve in the interim until the Ministry constitutes the University court and a Search Committee to find a substantive Vice-Chancellor.