Members of the Steering Committee set up to serve as the working committee for University of Sierra Leone Endowment Fund project had its inaugural meeting on 7th September 2022. The meeting was held in the Conference Room, 4th Floor, University House, Fourah Bay College, Mount Aureol. The meeting was chaired by the Chancellor of University of Sierra Leone, Dr. J. Sanpha Koroma (photo).
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss pertinent issues concerning the proposed University of Sierra Leone Endowment Fund. It could be recalled that in his speech to House of Congregation in April 2022, the Chancellor, Dr. J. Sanpha Koroma mentioned his intension to introduce and operate an Endowment Fund in the University of Sierra Leone where graduates of the constituent colleges of the University would contribute a specific amount annually.
The Chancellor said, “we can leverage on the huge number of alumni we have and get them to embrace this laudable initiative”. He further stated that “there is so much that Sierra Leoneans can gain from a well-funded and managed endowment fund”. He therefore suggested to engage the Alumni Association as matter of extreme urgency in a bid to get this project started.
Considering the importance and timeliness of this initiative, the Vice Chancellor and Principal, Professor Foday Sahr together with the University Registrar, Mrs. Olive Barrie constituted a steering Committee to develop a concept note, and a work plan that will lead to launching and operationalizing of the University Endowment Fund. The Committee also drafted a Policy to guide the operations and management of the Endowment Fund.
The Committee reported several activities that had been undertaken including identifying felt needs of the colleges of the University of Sierra Leone. Some of the projects suggested for funding are:
• Construction of a modern University Secretariat at Mount Auroel (Fourah Bay College)
• USL Research Centre
• Construction of new IPAM Campus at Bureh Town, Freetown
• Incorporating virtual learning as a core learning pathway
• FBC Lab construction
• FBC, IPAM and COMAHS Library Construction
• Construction of additional classroom in all three constituent campuses.
The Committee further discussed the payment options for international and in-country donors. A draft Policy was also presented, which stimulated a discussion about an inclusive management structure for transparency and accountability that can foster confidence building in the Project. The Committee considered communication and outreach as core activities in accelerating this Project. Communication activities that will ensure public understanding about the importance of the Endowment Fund, the management framework, roles and responsibilities of stakeholders and the payments options etc.
An illustrious alumnus donated the sum of Le 50,000.000 (fifty million Leones) [the new Leones] to open an account for this Project. God bless this alumnus who wants to be anonymous, though we think naming him will motivate others to do same. The Committee will meet next week Wednesday for further deliberations leading to the launching of this Project by the Visitor to the University of Sierra Leone, His Excellency the President, Dr. Julius Maada Bio.
Credit: University of Sierra Leone Media
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