By Politico Staff Writer
The Court of the University of Sierra Leone (USL) yesterday 6th September approved Associate Professor Miriam Elizabeth Conteh-Morgan as the new Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) to head the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM), making her the first woman to hold the post.
She was approved alongside Professor Kelleh G. Mansaray as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC), Fourah Bay College (FBC) campus, following a meeting held at the University Committee Room to discuss and approve the appointment of the two among other applicants.
During the meeting, the Court Chairman, Dr. J. Sanpha Koroma reported about the interviews conducted by the subcommittee of Court and thereafter presented the names of the recommended applicants for approval.
Prof. Mansaray was said to have gotten the highest scores among the four applicants for the position of Deputy Vice-Chancellor, FBC for which he was appointed.
Associate Prof. Conteh-Morgan also got the highest scores among the three applicants for the position.
Until her appointment, she served as the University Librarian and Assistant to the outgoing DVC IPAM, and as College Librarian, IPAM. She has also served as Coordinator of the University Development Committee and the University Endowment Fund. She is an outstanding scholar with several contemporary publications in scholarly and reputable journals and a mentor that has motivated several women and men in leadership and team- building.
Prof. Conteh-Morgan welcomed the appointment, saying: “I’m deeply honored, humbled for this recognition and I therefore, accept the position.” She added that she is proud to be the first female DVC of IPAM. She said that she has served two DVCs as their assistants and with that wealth of experience she will improve the infrastructural and intellectual development of IPAM. She commended her predecessor Professor Edmond Nonie whom she said further exposed her to management activities of the college.
Prof. Mansaray until now was Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, FBC, having served in that capacity for two consecutive terms with a strong impact on both the faculty and FBC in general. He has international and local recognition in project writing and management and in academic and professional development.
He has attracted several bilateral support for training and capacitating professional engineers. During his tenure as Dean, he led the process of introducing new programmes, curricular reviews, and expanding field trips for students and staff development for faculty members.
In his statement, Prof. Mansaray acknowledged the astute leadership of his predecessor, Professor Lawrence Kamara, and promised the University Court, students, and academic staff to build on the foundation of his predecessor, with new ideas and partnerships.
He appreciated the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Foday Sahr for steering a transparent and participatory mechanism to have him appointed to the office. He commended the Chairman of the Court and all members for the confidence reposed in him to serve in that capacity.
The Chairman of the Court and Chancellor of the university Dr. J. Sanpha Koroma congratulated the two appointees and offered words of encouragement. He said the appointment of the first female DVC was not any favour because of her gender but was purely based on merit. He told them that their new offices demand much corporation, collaboration and team building. He thus urged them to be committed to their responsibilities and the development of the university.
The two will start work in their respective offices by 1st October 2022.
Professor Mohamed Samai who has earlier been reappointed as the DVC COMAHS, the third constituent college of the University of Sierra Leone, presented a report on his stewardship in the office as DVC to mark the end of his first term.
The report was carefully evaluated by the Sub Committee of the Court and he was thereafter recommended for renewal of his position for a second term. Prof. Samai is an outstanding researcher who is a principal investigator for several studies including MULTIPLY, ACARIA, and formerly EBOVAC, etc. He has impacted COMAHS in several ways. He specializes in attracting major research funding and partnerships.
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