THE UNIVERSITY OF SIERRA LEONE
ADDRESS BY THE CHANCELLOR
HIS EXCELLENCY ALHAJI DR AHMAD TEJAN KABBAH
AT THE 2004 UNIVERSITY CONGREGATION
ADJAI CROWTHER AMPHITHEATRE
MOUNT AUREOL, FREETOWN
SATURDAY 18TH DECEMBER 2004

Let us continue the tradition that we began in this amphitheatre three years ago. So, as a prelude to my annual University address, I now invite the entire Congregation to join me in giving the new graduands a special round of applause.

This gesture is a public recognition of their achievement. As Chancellor I congratulate you. I commend you for your perseverance against all the constraints that are associated with the pursuit of higher education in a developing country.

Today, you have every reason to be overwhelmed by the pomp and pageantry of this ceremony. Soon you will be displaying with pride your degree, diploma or certificate as testimonials of your achievement. However, I entreat you not to forget all those who were instrumental in making this occasion possible. First - your parents and guardians, your extended families and benefactors. We salute you all. We pray that the seeds you have sown, the investments you have made in time and money, as well as in nurturing these graduands will yield fruits abundantly.

Secondly, do not forget your professors, lecturers, tutors and other faculty members. They too made sacrifices to ensure that you achieve your objectives. They too enhanced your capacity to contribute to the human resource development of the country. Allow me Mr Vice Chancellor to commend you and members of the faculties and staff of the constituent colleges and institutes of the University for your dedication, and distinguished service to the nation. Often, perhaps too often, we underestimate the contribution that teachers and other educators make to our personal careers. We also forget the crucial role they play in national development. I should like to take this opportunity to reassure you all that in my capacities as Chancellor and also as Head of State I will continue to help create better conditions in which you can continue to perform your invaluable services. God willing, we will be able to create greener pastures right here in Sierra Leone for faculty and staff.

Every University Congregation is an occasion for the conferment of degrees, diplomas and certificates. It is also an occasion to highlight some of the challenges that the recipients of these awards will face when they leave this ceremony. The congregation also provides another opportunity for us to outline the course that the University should chart for those who will enter these gates in the next few years.

How, for example do we see higher education in the next three years? How do we intend to respond to the needs of those who are already knocking at the door of this University or indeed the needs of those who graduate from the University in terms of employment? And how do we ensure that the services of these graduates benefit the nation, particularly the less privileged members of our society.

Mr Vice Chancellor, I suggest that the answers are closely connected with the theme of my address to this Congregation this afternoon, namely accessibility to higher education. The theme of this year's congregation could not have been more relevant and appropriate. Indeed, access to higher education presupposes that the required numbers and foundation are laid at the school stratum.

The last six years have witnessed the largest single investment by government and its development partners in the school system. Every Sierra Leonean should therefore take pride in the fact that the investment is paying dividend in the increased access and standards at all layers of the school system.

The 300% increase in school enrolment over this period has necessitated an expansion of our higher education sector. The expansion will no doubt accommodate the great numbers that are currently being produced by our schools. The physical and other restrictions that hitherto existed in higher education, excluding large segments of our school leaving population, will now be would a thing of the past.

In more general terms, accessibility involves pragmatic decentralization, regional balance, equity and diversity. We have to respond to the needs of all individuals who have a right to be accorded equal access to and opportunities for higher education. In this regard, we shall, as a matter of priority, accelerate the process that is already underway to implement the principal recommendations of the 1996 Technical Restructuring Committee on tertiary education set up by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

The restructuring of the Milton Margai Teachers College into the Milton Margai College of Education and Technology, the establishment of the Eastern Polytechnic and the commencement of operation of the Northern Polytechnic are clear examples of the implementation process.

You will recall that another major recommendation of the Committee is the expansion of the Sierra Leone University system into at least two autonomous public universities. I am pleased to inform you that the University Act 2004 has now been enacted by Parliament. This will lead to the creation of the reconstituted University of Sierra Leone, and Njala University as an autonomous entity, as well as open up the possibility for the establishment of private universities and other institutions of higher learning. Each University will have its own Court, Senate and Faculties.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, the current student enrolment in the University of Sierra Leone is under 6000. With this number we will not be able to progress from an under-developed to a rapidly developing country. The number exposed to tertiary education should therefore be much higher. It is envisaged that in three years' time the student body of each of the Universities would range from 12,000 to 15,000. This means that under the new system thousands of young people who are eligible would gain access to higher education within Sierra Leone on an equal basis. The envisaged expenditure will be immense. Government will therefore require the services of graduates in our rural communities to address the current inequalities in the distribution of these services, as a pathway to equitable development and national cohesion.

Mr Vice Chancellor, members of the 2004 University Congregation, we must dispel any notion that expansion or decentralization of the Sierra Leone university system and the creation of more than one full-fledge public university would result in disparities in academic standards. I can assure you that each will maintain the highest standard of excellence. Any apparent disparity between them would be solely on the basis of specialization, with absolutely no difference in overall academic standards. I can further assure you that neither will become the proverbial diploma factory. Both universities would be producing graduates in areas that were not part of the current University curricula. For instance, they will offer B.Sc. degrees in such areas as Nursing, Wildlife Management and Agricultural and Agro-based Technologies.

Both would be responding to the human resource needs of the country by diversifying their curricula and creating new programmes and courses. At the same time they would be responding to the challenges of scientific and technological advancement in the rest of the world. They will conform to international standards. Their degrees would be accepted by reputable institutions of higher education worldwide. Of course the Tertiary Education Commission would be expected to establish and monitor strict quality control to ensure parity in programmes and standards.

Mr Vice Chancellor, accessibility to higher education must, and I repeat must as a matter of necessity and the promotion of human rights, have a gender perspective. We should no longer give lip service to the important role that women can play in national development. Accessibility to higher education in our beloved country would be incomplete if by design or by sheer negligence we keep a large proportion of our daughters and sisters outside the gates of our institutions of higher learning.

I am not advocating any quota for women; on the contrary. What I would like to see is that over the next three years we develop a strategy and undertake a deliberate and proactive campaign to admit more women into the two universities. "Operation Sababu" which I launched just over a year ago to facilitate education of the girl child should in my view, be a source of inspiration at the university level. The gender balance in faculty and staff should also be addressed as part of the strategic plan of both universities.

A year ago, from this very podium I emphasized that as a centre of knowledge, an arbiter of discipline, the university can become a catalyst in the process of promoting and inculcating the seven national values that I had identified: resourcefulness, excellence, tolerance, good neighbourliness, generosity, honesty and self-esteem. They are still relevant. This is why I would like to take this opportunity to strongly recommend that our universities take the lead and try to integrate, as appropriate, these core values into their curricula.

If part of the university's mission is to train leaders of tomorrow, it follows then that the university must teach values. It must impart principles that should guide us, especially the emerging generation, in our interaction with each other - in the workplace, in public places, and in social life. How often have we not heard that what we Sierra Leoneans need in order to move the country forward is a change of attitude? Who would deny that a change of attitude could be one of the solutions to many of our economic problems? For instance, wouldn't we benefit from a change in our attitude toward the use of public funds and property, a change of attitude in the way we treat others? There is obviously a direct relationship between the attitudinal change many of us would like to see and the seven national values I would like us to uphold.

In the same breath, and reflecting on the bitter lessons of the 11-year war, I would like to emphasize that in our interaction with each other, we must continue to promote a spirit of peace and peaceful co-existence.

Peace before now was taken for granted; or viewed as an abstract phenomenon by many of our people. It is however satisfying to note the increasing awareness in our society that peace is something that can be taught, imbibed and practiced.

While acknowledging the contribution of all organizations and groups that are currently engaged in promoting a culture of tolerance and peace in the country, I wish to underscore the efforts of the Ministry of Education by infusing peace education into the school curriculum.

It is even more personally gratifying to note that the Peace and Conflict Studies Centre established at the University following my visit to Southern State University, Connecticut, USA, in 2002 is now being consolidated. I however, call on the Minister of Education and Vice Chancellor to ensure that the Peace and Conflict programme is replicated in all our higher education institutions in the country.

In closing I would like to recognize our honorary graduands, illustrious individuals who have distinguished themselves at the national and international levels. The nation is truly proud of you. This is why we honour you today. In congratulating you I have no doubt that others will emulate your exemplary contribution to the cause of human development.

To the graduands of the 2004 Congregation of the University of Sierra Leone, I have one final advice. As you take another step towards your chosen careers, remember that the accolade that this university is conferring on you today is a symbol of empowerment. Use it to help us meet the challenges of this nation. Use it to help us build a better and prosperous Sierra Leone: "Non Sibi, Sed Aliis."

At this juncture, I would like to recommend to the Minister of Education and Vice Chancellor that, in an effort to promote one of the identified national values - EXCELLENCE - a Chancellor's Prize for Academic Excellence form part of the annual University Congregation commencing next year.

The Prize could take the form of a monetary purse and a plaque or certificate, to be awarded each year to the best graduating final year student for academic excellence and outstanding contribution to community life. Or there could be several such prizes offered per Faculty, and must be made known to every new entrant to the University, so that they would be sufficiently informed and motivated to work towards it during their period of study. I am pleased to disclose that the Trustees of the Patricia Kabbah Trust fund will contribute towards this effort. Dr Sylvester Rowe our Deputy Permanent Representative in New York has indicated his willingness to also offer his support. I hope many other institutions and individuals both at home and abroad will follow these examples.

Once again I congratulate you. May I also take this opportunity to wish the entire Congregation heartfelt compliments of the Season.

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