By Prince J Musa in Kenema
The Minister of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE), Professor Alpha Tejan Wurie has introduced the new University Court at Eastern Technical University (ETU) in Kenema.
The introduction was done in an engagement with the staff of the university in Kenema on the 10th of September 2022.
According to the Minister, the meeting with the administration, lecturers, and other staff of the ETU was to inform them that come October this year, the academic year will start with the institution as a fully recognized university.
He said it is important for the ministry to reverse to the old academic year which normally ends in June, noting that the ministry should also know the courses that the university will be offering under the new dispensation as a university.
‘’As a Technical University all courses offered have to be hands-on and not courses that are outdated in places like FBC,’’ he said.
He urged the administration to provide a list of sixty additional staff to the Ministry which they will upgrade. The minister informed the gathering that, they have done the tender process for the rehabilitation of Bunumbu campus and that by next month work will start.
He explained how more Grant- in- aid was given this year with three thousand seven hundred (3,700) benefitting, one thousand more than last year.
He said priority has been given to women doing science courses in all public universities and of Parliament having passed an Act for a loan scheme for students in tertiary institutions, which he said will start with Masters Students in active public service with NASSIT number and insurance. He said beneficiaries of the loan scheme will pay a minimum scale of two percent, which payment will start as soon as the individual starts working.
In his statement the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the ETU, Professor Mohamed Tailu Lahai said the ETU transformation has brought onboard more educational facilities that will match up to a university standard.
He maintained that the visit will enable new staff and lecturers to be aware of the University Court and its regulations that bind the institution. He added that the administration is grateful to the government for the support accorded to the new university and used the opportunity to outline the infrastructural developments undertaken by the administration over the years.
Prof. Lahai briefed the minister about the recent e-library support they have received from a Sierra Leonean philanthropist overseas who recently provided them with online materials for the e-library. He said the materials will be utilized by both lecturers and students for research purposes in the academic field.
He highlighted some of the new courses that will be rolled out for the next academic calendar which he said will attract more students and other academia to join the institution for Human Capital Development.
He assured the minister that the administration and staff of ETU will continue to maintain academic standards that will match up with university status. He implored on lecturers and other staff for more dedication to their job.
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