The Parliamentary oversight Committee On Technical and Higher Education Chaired by the dynamic Hon. Joseph Williams-Lamin has on Wednesday 26/6/2024 engaged officials of the Eastern Technical University of Sierra Leone in Kenema District to ascertain progress made so far from since its upgrade from a polytechnic to a university.
In his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor and Principal of the Eastern Technical University of Sierra Leone, Prof. Mohamed Taillu Lahai on behalf of the University thanked and commended Members of Parliament (MP) for their visit and anticipate a fruitful discussion for the university’s development. Briefing the Committee after inspections,
The Vice Chancellor and Principle Professor Mohamed Taillu Lahai explained to the Committee some of the challenges and successes of the University. He commended the president of the Republic of Sierra Leone for helping the polytechnic to have attained a university status.The VC&P also explained the massive infrastructural developments undertaken by the university and some of the many things the institution wish to undertake.
In his briefed statement the Committee,s Chairperson Hon .Joseph Williams-Lamin outlined the mandate of the work of the Parliamentary oversight Committee; probing into the University activities and the strides made so far.
Hon. Williams -Lamin underscored that President Dr. Julius Maada Bio’s commitment in promoting quality education in the country is second to none. He emphasize the need for authorities in the education sector to be respected and furthe to highlight the need for quality education for the country especially in tertiary education sector.
As part of its mandate, the Committee visited various facilities of the 47.5 acres of land campus in Kenema. The Committee commended the management of the University for a job well done in keeping up to the required standard of a technical university.
Mr John Juana, the Registrar of the University also briefed the Committee through a PowerPoint presentation on the current status of the University; successes and challenges.
The Registrar explained that the University mandate is to foster quality education, embark on research and innovation for all sectors; learned and middle level man power. He went on to state the various faculties and departments the University has.
He mentioned that there are currently 8517 and that 52% represents male whilst 48% represents females and a staff population of 415.
On the successes the Registrar informed the committee that the University has embark on several construction projects; completed the roofing of the amphitheater, maintenance and fabrication of over 2,500 student armed chairs and maintenance of offices for senior administrative staff and Heads of Departments.
In outlining some of challenges the Registrar said staff are still on polytechnic payroll which is seen as a demotivating factor to the workers, non replacement of deceased staff members an those who’ve retired and the untimely payment of government subventions, bad road to Bunumbu and Kono campuses, inadequate workshop and laboratory equipment and host of others. He pleaded with the committee on behalf of the University a concerted effort to support the institution in order to actualized the desired goals of guality and responsive education in Sierra Leone where in graduates won’t depend on jobs provided by government.
The Registrar informed the committee on the ongoing construction and rehabilitation of former Bunumbu Teachers College, now ETU-SL, Bunumbu Campus.He also informed the Committee that the statutory organs of the university including the university Court and its committees are fully functional
The Registrar also applauded government for the prompt payment of monthly salary for staff on Accountant General’s payroll,though on Polytechnic scale. He also appreciate the regulatory and supervisory roles of both TEC and MTHE respectively
He concluded by informing the Committee, “since 2017-2024 no grant-in-aid fees returned have been paid by government to the University and that we are pleading with the committee for fast track this as it deters infrastructural growth of the institution.
During the quest to know and understand the rubrics of the operations of the institution, the questions and answer by the MPs, they appluaded the administration on work done so far for the University.
The MPs went on to underscored the importance of quality education for development of the nation and promised what had being highlighted would be looked into and bring the relevant authorities that are involved.
The engagement ended with a call on the student union govert to see themselves as additional administrative officers of the institution and encouraged them all to maintain peace and tranquility on the campus.
The student vouched to maintain peace and work in earnest with the central administration of the institution of ETUSL.