By Hassan Ibrahim Conteh
Acting Vice Chancellor and Principal of the University of Sierra Leone (USL), Professor Ekundayo Thompson, has pronounced a continuation of the implementation of several development projects as part of his determination to ensure efficiency in the university administration.
One of these projects is the expansion of the Ajai Crowther Amphitheatre, which the VC said arose from the challenges in accommodating the increasing number of graduating students and their guests.
Professor Thompson was speaking on a congregation ceremony held on April 16, at the Ajai Crowther Amphitheatre, Fourah Bay College campus. He said the second phase of the construction of the hall would commence within two weeks and would be completed before the next congregation which was scheduled to take place in October 2016.
The Amphitheatre will have a seating capacity of about 5,000 and will have a canopy on both sides, the VC said.
Professor Thompson said the FBC Administration had also embarked on the construction of a lecture hall that would accommodate 400 students. Internally-generated funds are used to finance these projects which are supervised by the Civil Engineering Department of Fourah Bay College under the leadership of Ing. Alpha Badamasi, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, he said.
He also disclosed plans for the construction of a ground water bore hole which would be spearheaded by the Geology Department of Fourah Bay College. When completed, the perennial problem of water shortage on campus would be eased, he said.
He added that the much talked about $36.5 million BADEA project was about to start following the opening of bids and award of contract.
Two projects: a seven-storied multi-purpose building and a six-storied building to house the university secretariat, were underway at the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IMPAM) campus, he said, noting that this was part of his ‘Deep Change Agenda’ of 2012/2013.
The increasing student population of IPAM has caused classes and exams to be held at various locations around town, which has led to a huge spike in expenditure due to fees for lease and rents, he said. He explained that the construction projects would provide additional lecture rooms to respond to the increasing number of students, adding that the secretariat building will provide office accommodation for the entire staff.
The University of Sierra Leone comprises three constituent colleges: FBC, IMPAM, and the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS). COMAHS is also undertaking infrastructural projects at Kossoh Town, Hastings. The United States Diseases Control and Prevention has been providing financial support for the New England and Kossoh Town projects.
IPAM and FBC students, every year, converge together at the Ajai Crowther Amphitheatre for the conferment of degrees and approval of award of diplomas and certificates. This year, about 1, 300 students graduated from both colleges.
The university authorities were annoyed at some graduates who suddenly left before the graduation ceremony ended. Only 86 graduates patiently waited until the congregation ceremony finished. Professor Thompson described such behavior as an act of “indiscipline”.
“This is the same indiscipline I am talking about. Indiscipline has manifested itself in different forms on campus,” he said.
This year’s congregation ceremony was held on the theme: “Maintaining and Promoting the Efficiency of the University.” It marked the second since Sierra Leone was declared Ebola-free. “This year’s graduation ceremony is unique because we have a conducive environment…We all know the Ebola Virus Disease cast a very grim shadow,” said Sorie Dumbuya, Registrar of USL. He said the completion of Phase I of the extension and restoration of the Amphitheatre showed the commitment of the university administration to ensuring infrastructural development. Mr. Dumbuya praised the Fourah Bay College Alumni Association for their valuable assistance towards the progress of the college. “The Alumni Association has been playing a key role here and the world over,” he said.
(C) Politico 19/04/16
