Consolidating the Values of Change, Continuity, Diversity and (...)

Commentary

By Dr Michael N Wundah (Senior Lecturer, College- Community Coordinator Lambeth College, London, UK) and Dr Lauretta Will (Principal, IAMTECH, Sierra Leone).

Significant Transition Rests on Faith, Sincerity, Meaningful Innovation, Change and Reform:

When it comes to the very important matter of ‘‘innovation’’ in the world of education, in post-modern times, the concept is reduced to nothing other than mere nuances. Why? Sometimes, the concept rests firmly on the critical threats of contesting discourses and discourse analyses. The narratives of these issues are built around funding, explicitly calling into question which areas or regions and templates and models to accommodate. There are also differences in ideology and philosophy. They often come up for serious consideration, and they undergo such aggressive surgical assaults by difficult ideologues. Above all, these issues are compounded by hardcore politicking especially in less pluralistic terrains.

Thank God Sierra Leone is a pluralistic society, but there are other considerations which come or have come in the way of attaining the real chances to facilitate and empower our tertiary sector to perform to the optimum height.

Thus, one educationist once said that ‘‘innovation’’ without allowance for sincerity, faith and meaningful transformation, that is, including reform in curriculum contents and above all, change in the culture of the ministration is nothing other than a mirage. Here at IAMTECH, the key stakeholders are very much conscious of the disruption this piece of poisoned chalice is capable of causing for institutional and government planners and reformers. Its mind-set is tuned towards this truism or, you may call it a workable and prudent philosophy that great and progressive educators of both the old and post-modern schools treat with the utmost seriousness. For the progressives, this truism is an eye opener, it is capable of aiding every inch of their education reform journey because more often than not it delivers the goods.

And, that is IAMTECH at its very classic best. Since its inception 23 years ago, the institution has been managed by husband and wife, Dr. Paul Kamara and Dr. Abie Paula Kamara, during which decades they have recorded massive achievements against all the odds and challenges put in their way. Now that they have put all the structures in place through hard work, they have realised that the baton of leadership or management at the helm needs to change hands in order to inspire and maximise more success. In this vein they have appointed a proven Sierra Leonean academic, Dr. Lauretta Will as the new principal of IAMTECH. Having spent years in the United States of America, where she worked as an academic in various universities, Dr. Will has been entrusted with the challenging responsibility to steer the ship and attach finesse to its viability as one of the very best institutions in post-war Sierra Leone. It has to be reiterated that at the heart of the institution’s innovative endeavors is diversity, choice, access, empowerment, relevant curriculum contents and quality assurance.

Diversity, Choice and Quality Assurance

One of the numerous examples which epitomize the culture and policy of diversity and choice at IAMTECH is the expansion of the Oil and Gas and Petroleum courses, covering undergraduate and graduate levels. The following pictures and the one above were taken during one of the many planned seminars around this very lucrative discipline. This action plan underscores the determination of this post-modernist oriented institution (IAMTECH) to harness the relevant knowledge, skills and qualifications required for the nation building philosophy, espoused by the government.

The Oil and Gas courses are undoubtedly exciting prospects for sustained economic strategies. IAMTECH started training students in this discipline at the certificate and diploma levels. Having experimented successfully for one academic year now, they have reckoned that it is high time they upgraded the discipline to degree status.

The Innovative Credentials of IAMTECH are Evident

IAMTECH is the first and only tertiary institution in the country (to date), that has begun running courses in Oil and Gas. This significant fact boosts the pedigree of the institution as a very progressive and innovative tertiary institution. What are the wider ramifications for choosing Oil and Gas and Petroleum courses in our tertiary sector, after the old and entrenched disciplines, including the Liberal Arts, Natural Sciences, and Agricultural Science and integrated IT and Technology have virtually had firm grips on the minds and consciousness of the nation?
This period is crucial for our postwar rebuilding phase and sustaining the good tidings for a brighter future. We stand to be corrected on this matter, but the Oil and Gas and Petroleum industry currently draws most of its senior workforce from the crop of migrant workers. Undoubtedly, this calls for a rethinking attitude and diversify in order to resolve this vital skills-deficits and shortage we cannot afford.

The IAMTECH convocation of this academic session was unique. It was unique in the sense that it coincided with the visit of the Oil and Gas Accreditation Team from the United Kingdom. Reflecting on the occasion, Visiting Professor and Public Orator from the United Kingdom, Dr. Michael Wundah made series of salient observations, which were derived from the contexts of the keynote addresses. That the institution turned out that number graduates in various disciplines, even when they do not enjoy the luxury of grant-in aid is a grandiose testimony to its viability and relevance to nation building.

KEY STAKEHOLDERS IN THE WORKFORCE OF THE NATION, BUT WE NEED TO BE MORE ADVENTUROUS:

IAMTECH is an outward looking institution with a fantastic and dedicated staff. It is also determined to diversify in various areas of its provisions as part and parcel of its innovation. For decades now the institution has experimented in the commercial disciplines and information technology and registered successful results. The success stories are very much evident in the nation’s workforce. Most of their former students are holding key positions in the world of work. On the many occasions I have visited Sierra Leone, I have come across graduates of IAMTECH at the Lungi International Airport, for instance, dispensing crucial duties in strategic positions. Nationwide, they are found in academia, the Sierra Leone Civil Service, Armed Forces, you name them! These data only define one salient point that this institution makes viable contributions to national development.

IAMTECH’S Mining and Petroleum students headed for a field trip to London Mining in Lunsar, early in June, to gain more capacity in the Mining, Oil and Gas industries in Sierra Leone, and the global market, while the newly appointed principal and the Dean of IT, Dr. Patrick Taylor, ushers their excited students, their final instructions and blessings. The purpose of the visit was for the students to make presentations at London Mining, Cape Lambert and Octea Mining Companies, in order to highlight the relevance of their courses to the requiremenst of the employability skills as well as the need to offer scholarships and internship opportunities.

THE SPRINGBOARD WHICH WILL ACCELERATE THE SPACE OF DR WILL: THE SPIRIT OF INNOVATION AND CHANGE

In retrospect, Dr. Will may have a lot on her plate, but she has a solid source of reprieve (saving grace) found in the true spirit of cooperation and solidarity by the co-founders, Prof. Kamara and his hardworking and dynamic wife. They are supported by the ever dedicated staff, Board members, alumna and the sea of supporters drawn from the local community. Also, the college can be proud of a reservoir of home grown talents as well as international partners, including experts, specialists and academicians, ready to give her the needed support and expert competencies.

For the sake of laying premium on the vital point that it is high time post-war Sierra Leone aspired to attain higher heights, especially now that there are encouraging signs of post-war recovery, its educational system, especially at the tertiary sector has to accommodate diversification, choice and quality assurance. Given the challenges facing us, it is an open secret that the culture of business as usual, in this sector is no longer sustainable. In brief, it has to change significantly for the better. It is an understatement to state that these facts are echoed across the length and breadth of the country. And based on the evidence on the ground, there is no doubt that IAMTECH is ahead of its game in ensuring that the right curriculum choices are made to match our national development aspirations and schemes.

THE VITAL POINTS IN THE KEYNOTE ADDRESSES

According to Dr. Michael Wundah, the farewell address by the outgoing Principal and COO, and that of the Chair (Governing Council), were centered on significant themes, highlighting the beginning of an era of a meaningful transition in the history of the institution. There were of course, some spells of thematic differences, but convergences did manifest themselves in the two keynote addresses to the delight of everyone. They stressed quality assurance, the call for financial help from alumni associations and members of the public and international organisations (philanthropists). Most significantly, the two speeches emphasized what is perceived in various quarters of the country as traumatic double standards. That is, the award of Government Grants-In Aid for students in higher education. Rightly so, the outgoing principal (Dr. Mrs. Abie Paula Kamara) pin-pointed one significant logic. It states: since other tertiary institutions in the country benefit from the scheme, why should the same not apply to students of IAMTECH?

SOLICITING THE BLESSINGS OF THE TERTIARY EDUCATION COMMISSION (TEC):

It is a laudable credit that IAMTECH is one of the qualified and accredited institutions in Sierra Leone mandated to train and qualify people to meet the demands of the emerging diverse workforces in the country. We need to remind ourselves that such an accreditation must have the blessings of the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) of Sierra Leone as well as the Ministry of Education. After fulfilling the criteria of the external verifiers (IQ) the former has to also have the final seal of approval of the two- Ministry of Education and the TEC. The internal policies of IAMTECH’S affiliate partner- Njala University in the same regard have to be followed to the letter. These building blocks to attain accreditation may sound laborious, but they are plausible trajectories of accreditation. Crucially, they suggest and affirm that quality has now become a compulsory yardstick for the seal of approval.

CROSS CULTURAL ENDEAVORS AS THE CATALYSTS FOR INNOVATION SYSTEMIC RESTRUCTURING AND MAXIMISE CHANGE:

Yes, the baton of ministration has changed hands successfully, and the current principal is off her blocks with renewed confidence in order to enrich the stakes, which she has inherited and made this emergent, proactive institution, the very envy and pride of the country. The body language of the two ladies in the photos above crowns the following virtues: sincerity, trust, faith and hope in the transition.

Related to the ideals and the urgent need to maximize the skills and experiences of the local as well as internal staff of the country, are the imprints of the college’s liberal tendencies. They are found in its universal endeavors dispensed successfully to attract external staff, which underscores the ideals of global cooperation amongst academics and experts in their own rights. The proprietors must have learned their lessons from a series of global perspectives on this key educational strategy. A series of research projects in this area point to the anecdotal evidence that emphasizes cross-cultural breeding as a huge success story in modern educational strategies. They include sensible borrowing from other workable curriculum, pedagogy, quality packaging and institutional ministration. Practical measures which allude to the same research endeavor under discussion include continental, regional and world-wide teaching exchange programs, seminars, conferences, internal/ local national collegial exchange teaching, research and conferences, publishing, peer reviews and workshops. The world of education, like trade and commerce has become diligently globalized.

KEEPING THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION INFORMED

Dr. Will has come to this job with a strategic plan- which she is very much aware that it can only gain fruition with the blessings of the national institutions which run education in the country. One of such institution is the Ministry of Education. Every step taken to on the way to introduce innovation must be made known to the authorities at the ministry. The components of Dr. Will’s strategic plan for the future of IAMTECH were carefully and comprehensive rehearsed in April, this year at a retreat, dubbed the 2020 Strategic Vision Plan.

In attendance at the retreat were all the college’s key stakeholders. Prior to that day, Dr. Mrs. Abie Paula Kamara, the UK Visiting Team and the Chief Education Officer (CEO) had a meeting in the office of the latter, at the Ministry of Education. The beautiful group picture below epitomizes the transient spirit injected into the change that has taken place at IAMTECH. The rationale of the meeting was to feedback the CEO, vis a vis, the previews and outcomes of the accreditation processes and validation of the Oil and Gas and Petroleum Courses at IAMTECH.

The finale of the visit from the UK experts, the 2014 Convocation, and the retreat by the beach side could be safely said to have been carefully carved or designed to welcome the change and transition period at IAMTECH. Collaborative works, including research projects, the production of online, softcover and hardcover journal projects, conveying of creative and academic writing seminars and workshops for workers, organisations and students are veritable outcomes, reached at the various meetings.

It was revealed at the retreat and at other related meetings that the viable activities of the action plan for the future, under the auspices of Dr. Lauretta Will span various tiers of the education spectrum. For me, the highpoint of the activities of this academic year was the institution’s Vision 2020 Strategic Plan discussed and debated at a retreat, held at the ‘‘Njala Venue/House’’ by the seaside in Freetown, in April of this year. The rationale of this successful retreat underpinned one vital message- to design a successful and functional postmodern educational institution, including tertiary education requires the sincere contributions of all and sundry. In short, it means encouraging and inspiring ‘‘All Hands must be on Deck’’

THE ALL HANDS ON DECK PHILOSOPHY

The adage that elegance is an attitude is educative. Education and training enterprises in postwar Sierra Leone requires more than just financial support and fanciful edifices. There must be a change of attitude in our policies, frameworks and practice. Such attitude have to be elegant inclusive and inspiring. We require ‘‘All Hand on Deck’’ in order to enrich and maximise success. And, those elegant and graceful hands have to be, accommodating, sincere, efficient, confident and hopeful and exercise selflessness. Truly is the case that ‘‘All Hands on Deck’’ in the broader sense means inclusiveness, it means reaching out to the community and the country at large. (Primary schools, JSS, SSS, mean stream universities and other private sector providers). On ‘‘Hands on Deck’’ is should not be perceived as an empty romantic phraseology, for it is constructive, inclusive and breaks the gender barrier in education and training, which is part and parcel of the ‘‘Millennium Development Goals’’ prescribed in the spirit of the global nation states. Creating the gender balance and empowering girls as well as women (left behind since the suffragettes in 1832) underpins the depths of the phrase. Equally, the ‘‘All Hands on Deck’’ culture of reaching out beyond the borders of our doorsteps and locality in the broader sense of the word, means, wooing international providers, academics, experts, consultants, businesses and entrepreneurs in order to harness their expertise and wealth of experiences for the greater good of our country.

The amazing photos below are as self-explanatory as they are assertive of the broader meaning of the romantic phrase: ‘‘All Hands on Deck’’ Fest as much as you can on all the photos and read and digest the article with an open mind as we are all in this together.

IN RESTRUCTURING THE ENTIRE INSTITUTION FOR THE VISION 2020, IAMTECH ESTABLISHES A WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT CENTER

History attests that worldwide, women and girls have not had equal share of the stakes when it comes to gender equality. This historic injustice persists in academia, the world of trade, commerce, and industry, religion and politics. There are fewer females principals, chairs, deans and heads of departments in the tertiary sector globally. The rate of illiteracy contradicts governments’ desires to inspire lucrative and productive economies that break some of the enduring social and political barriers, which jeopardize wealth creation and redistribute it In brief; the egalitarian philosophy that guides living for one another in society is defeated because girls and women are relegated to the doldrums of society.

Any progressive society can’t afford to sweep this debilitating history of gender inequality under the carpet. On the other hand, yes, dismal social demographics do persist globally, however, we can’t break the barriers which characterize the injustice they bring to bear on women and girls, until educational institutions educate, motivate, facilitate and empower them. Thus, these are the urgencies and crave for sense of justice and equity that has inspired the establishment of the Women’s Empowerment Center at IAMTECH.

THE WOMEN EMPOWERMENT CENTER HAS AN OPEN DOOR POLICY AND FACILITATES THE FOLLOWING VALUES:

Welcomes all community members, regardless social status, belief and ethnicity Training facilities iii. Empowerment strategies iv. Teach courses to empower women achieve gender equality v. Facilitates and inspire fundraising activities in order to award scholarships to deserving female students and trainees. vi. Prepares women for equal partnership in academic, business and leadership skills and development. vii. Works with both Government and Non-governmental Agencies viii. Collaborates with other women organisations in order to reduce the rate of illiteracy, ignorance ix. Promotes women’s legal rights to justice, education and employment.

Dr. Michael Ngoasong from the Industry Qulaification (IQ) in the United Kingdom (second from left) and Dr. Will (first from left) being interviewed on SLTV in Freetown.