By Ralph Sesay (PRO: Njala University)
Professor Andrew Augustine Baimba has on Friday 4th March 2022 showcased his major achievements at Njala University for the past seven (7) months in his capacity as Acting –Vice-Chancellor and Principal.
The accomplished Educationist and Administrator was addressing Senators of the University Senate, the highest academic organ of the University at the Secretariat, Njala Campus where he noted that he had successfully achieved the three key point objectives for which the Government had sent him to Njala and this according to him included working towards a smooth transition between him and his predecessor-Professor Mallam, Superintending over a functional and management review of the University and overseeing the appointment of a substantive Vice-Chancellor and Principal.
He thanked the Deans of School and other academic staff for working towards producing results and reopening the University for the 2021/2022 Academic Year on record time.
Professor Baimba also highlighted efforts around trying to fix the water and electricity challenges and making students’ hostels conducive for living and used the opportunity to appeal to Government and private sector players to help his administration overcome the issues of sustainable energy across his campuses.
The Administration, according to him, spends a colossal two hundred million Leones a month to generate water and electricity across its campuses and he is deeply worried that his Administration has not been able to have a sustainable solution towards that end.
The Acting Vice-Chancellor also recounted efforts at changing the status of casual workers in the security sector, revamping the Public Relations Office which is producing a quarterly monthly Newsletter thereby creating visibility for University functions, formation of three Committees to resuscitate agricultural farming in the various sectors, and the beautification of the various campuses to name but a few. Considerable resources have already been provided to support the work of those committees.
He praised the collective efforts of all sundry towards the attainment of the aforementioned achievements and thanked the Government for giving the opportunity to serve and for the support over the last seven months. “I am always glad to serve Njala because it made me who I am today,’’ Professor Baimba expressed gratitude.
Professor Andrew Augustine Baimba was appointed Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Njala University on the 1st July 2021 replacing Sierra Leone’s Statistician-General, Professor Osman Sankoh Aka Mallam O. who served for fourteen months (April 2020-July 2021).
The Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal is a seasoned Administrator and Academician and has served the University as Senior Lecturer, Head of Physics Department, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Bo and Njala Campuses, Chairman Policy and Curriculum Review Committees of the University.
His successes at Njala University are largely due to his experiences and understanding of the institution and the huge respect he commands among a good number of members of staff most of whom now form the Senior Administrative and Academic cadres of the current administration.
