By Politico Staff Writer
The Milton Margai College of Education and Technology (MMCET) has on Wednesday 16th June 2021 ended a two-day academic staff retreat in preparation for its university status by next academic year.
As declared by Professor Alpha Wurie, Minister of Technical and Higher Education, the college will be the first functional Technical University in Sierra Leone come October 2021.
In his opening remarks to commence the retreat, the Principal of the college, Dr. Philip John Kanu highlighted the infrastructural development he has embarked on since 2018, stating that for a college to attain a University status; the key factor to consider is enough structure, a benchmark he said the college has met.
He said, lecturers have been supported through scholarship programmes to proceed with their Ph.D.’s and Masters within and out of the country.
Dr. Kanu spoke about the biometric attendance system which he said has been introduced in the college to take record of attendance and which he believes will lead to efficient service delivery, as well as the robust monitoring of examinations and of the exams office being prohibited from lecturers after submission of grades, and an introduction of a student’s forum where they are allowed to speak freely about issues affecting them, to create the enabling environment for them to express themselves freely.
He went on to note a functioning E-Library in the college, which he said falls under the quality assurance programme (QA).
“A special bank account has been created for lecturers with enough funds for research grants to support those who might want to do research, solving problems, or postulating ideas that will add value to the college,” said the principal.
He said by the end of 2021, there are plans for lecturer promotion in the college, noting that the college has established links with other universities, UN agencies, and business entities.
Dr.Kanu noted that his target at the moment is to upgrade his staff to meet the standard of their status and believe the retreat must be able to inform the kind of strategic the plan they are to put in place for better service delivery.
The second day of the the retreat was an interactive and presentation session by lecturers and Deans of faculties from all the three campuses, looking at their performance Matrix and capturing their activities since June 2018 progresses made, and plans ahead, as the college is to become a Technical University in a couple of months.
The outcome of the retreat, according to the Principal, will be presented to the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education for an assessment.
The event was facilitated by Dr. Kumuwa with assistance and support from co-facilitator Dr. Emmanuel Gaima.
Copyright © 2021 Politico Online (21/06/21)
