The President of the University of Liberia (UL), Prof. Dr. Julius Nelson, heading a UL delegation to Sierra Leone, has hailed the Ernest Bai Koroma University of Science and Technology (EBKUST) for the direction it intends to head to impact and transform higher education in the sisterly country.
Addressing the EBKUST convocation Thursday, January 19, 2023 on its Magburaka campus in Makeni, Sierra Leone, President Nelson said the University of Liberia is happy to see this trajectory because it has endeavored to pursue similar approaches in its domestic educational sector.
The UL President congratulated EBKUST for the theme of its convocation: “Leveraging Research, Science, and Innovation to Address Current and Future Issues of Higher Education in Sierra Leone.”
According to Dr. Nelson, the theme announced the direction the University intends to head as it impacts and transforms higher education in Sierra Leone.
Dr. Nelson explained that in this 21st century, Science, Research and Innovation cannot be excluded from developmental agendas, beginning with the educational sector.
“Our approaches to issues and challenges should be guided by well-researched, scientific, and innovative platforms, so that the margin of error in charting our course can be as minimal as possible,” he suggested.
“We at the University of Liberia are happy to see this trajectory, because we have endeavored to pursue similar approaches in our domestic educational sector, especially at a time when our country is heading toward [presidential and legislative] elections later this year,” he noted further.
According to him, a collaboration of new ideas is what everyone needs, as well as a committed willpower to implement, so as to better the systems, thereby bettering lives.
He pledged the University of Liberia’s continuous collaboration through existing partnership, in transforming through science and technology.
“We all need to be innovative, and stop doing things the same way and expecting different results,” he said.
He remarked that the University is encouraging innovations in the areas of research and science, which is befitting for any society at a time like this.
On the President’s delegation are the Associate Vice President for Human Resource, Madam Garmai Wilson; the Dean of the College of Engineering, Mr. Hun-bu Tulay; UL Student Interim government president Varfee Dukuly; the president of UL Staff Association, the Director of Protocol and some members of the President’s office staff, and UL Relations, among others.
On behalf of the delegation from the University of Liberia, Prof. Dr. Nelson extended heartfelt felicitations of the New Year, and congratulated EBKUST as it continues to train and mold young men and women.
He applauded his counterparts at EBKUST for preparing young men and women to contribute their quota to the Sierra Leonean society, and the rest of the world.
“It gives us great pleasure to be a part of such a historical occasion. We thank you for the invitation to be a part, and highly commend your efforts for accomplishing this milestone,” he continued.
Dr. Nelson noted that he is aware that the process leading up to the convocation has been one filled with challenges, as the participants had prepared to showcase and exhibit their talents which are indicative of the level of accomplishments they had gained over the years.
“For the commitment and tenacity exhibited over the period, I highly commend you, and congratulate you,” he said.
In March this year, EBKUST will be turning five years old, according to officials. But the young university is also recognized to be the fastest growing and [one of the] best universities in Sierra Leone.
This week, EBKUST recorded an enrollment of 3,566 freshmen, a sharp rise in student population from previous academic years from 2019 to 2022, each of which had student enrollments below 2,000.
Prof. Dr. Edwin Momoh, Vice Chancellor of EBKUST, said the establishment of the university brought together formally established institutions that were polytechnics or training colleges.
Dr. Momoh said EBKUST has been blessed with the President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio, who has taken education as his flagship program because he believes in human capital development.
“So we are here today celebrating some much successes over this short period of time,” said Prof. Momoh.
Meanwhile, the UL Delegation will further participate in convocation activities at the EBKUST on Friday when Dr. Nelson is expected to also serve as one of the speakers.
