By: Sulaiman Stom Koroma
The Vice Chancellor and Principal of the University of Sierra Leone, Professor Aiah Lebbie, has called on lecturers across Sierra Leone’s Universities to work more closely with students in producing academic publications.
Professor Lebbie said lecturers should identify high-quality theses and dissertations written by students and collaborate with them to convert such work into publishable academic papers. He continued that this approach would enhance the university’s research output and also offer students early exposure to academic publishing.
He noted that knowledge production should not be limited to existing literature, laying bare the need for lecturers to engage in continuous research and inquiry. According to him, academic work must go beyond textbooks, with scholars actively investigating emerging issues and contributing new insights to their respective fields.
The Vice Chancellor emphasized that co-authorship between lecturers and students is a practical approach to strengthening the research culture within the university. He added that such partnerships help refine students’ research skills and ensure that valuable findings are shared within academia.
Professor Lebbie’s call is part of broader efforts to reposition the University of Sierra Leone as a research-driven institution, where both staff and students actively contribute to knowledge creation.
