By Nasratu Kargbo
The University of Management and Technology (UNIMTECH), formerly Institute of Advanced Management and Technology (IAMTECH) has on the 10 June 2021 certified its first batch of graduates since it was upgraded to university status.
Prior to the change of status into a university, the college was affiliated with the Njala University through which they have been certifying their students on degree programmes.
This year’s convocation comprised two batches, 2019 and 2020 with a total number of 2,838 (two thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight students.)
Addressing guests and the graduates, the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of UNIMTECH Professor Roseline Emeh Uyanga expressed joy that the institution was producing its own first crop of students as a university.
Uyanga stated that the university has campuses in BO, Kono, Lunsar and Kambia as a way to create accessibility, quality, and affordable education for all. She stated that all lands and buildings in the different regions and Freetown belong to the university.
One of the recent developments in the Kambia branch, she said, is the introduction of new courses like diploma in Agriculture.
She said like every other university, UNIMTECH followed strict admission procedures with emphasis on English Language and Mathematics.
Uyanga added that "the university has produced people that have contributed to national development, people like Ambrose Sovula, the Inspector-General of Police, Aminata Turay an accountant in Makeni Council, Lusine Kallon Deputy Minister of Youth, all are clear indication that UNIMTECH is contributing to human development in the country,” she said.
She appealed to the government of Sierra Leone to grant scholarships to students and lecturers of the university who want to further their education.
On the issue of giving women the opportunity, she said that UNIMTECH has recruited female staff that has contributed greatly to the development of the university.
The VC mentioned that the university is going through challenges such as funding, and mismanagement of funds. She explained that they have faced challenges as a result of COVID like changes in the academic calendar and admitted the university is open to correction or advice as it is still a baby.
The Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) David Koroma commended the University for the Efforts made over the years to improve on the infrastructure. He explained that the duty of the TEC is to make sure that the university does what it should do. On his impression of facilities he noted: “I had the opportunity to visit the campus in Kambia, I must say it is a promising campus. I must use this opportunity to thank the N'jala University and all others for making this possible," he said.
He said that through the student loan scheme the government will solve the problem of all those who are seeking to further higher education.
Rugiatu Kamara a graduate with a diploma in Public Administration expressed to Politico her feelings: “I am very happy, I am part of 2019 batch, after all the struggles we had to wait for another year because of COVID".
She explained that things have not been easy especially having marital matters to address. "Being a married woman, taking care of your husband and child and studying at the same time is very challenging", she said. Kamara added that she was pregnant at some point during the course and it was so difficult that she almost dropped out.
UNIMTECH is a Sierra Leonean-based information technology training institution devoted to the development and training of computer users and professionals. It was founded on the 16th July 1991 and was named the Kissy Computer training institution (KCTI). Owing to the emergence of the information technology industry as the cornerstone of modern education and a requirement for competence in today’s job market, the institution advanced from KCTI to IAMTECH, and finally to UNIMTECH.
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