By Foday Moriba Conteh
One of the three constituent colleges of the University of Sierra Leone (USL), Fourah Bay College (FBC), has on the 18th February 2021 celebrated its 194th year of academic excellence in a modest ceremony held at the Ajayi Crowther Amphitheatre on FBC Campus with the theme “FBC Repositioning itself for Transformation in the 21st Century Sierra Leone.”
The aforesaid historical college was founded on 18th February 1827, making it the first institution of higher learning in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The Pro Chancellor of USL, Professor Hector G Morgan, who also represented the Chancellor of USL at the ceremony said that FBC has over the years showcased a firm command of amazing resilience in gloriously manifesting outstanding academic excellence. He also encouraged staff and students of the college to demonstrate a profound standard of intellectual integrity among themselves describing it as an important instrument in fulfilling aspiring academic achievements.
Serving as the Keynote Speaker at the ceremony, the Minister Of Technical and Higher Education, Dr Alpha Wurie expressed sincere thanks and appreciation to the academic and administrative staff of USL for working effortlessly in providing excellent educational platforms to students despite the challenges faced in executing their duties. He also joyously made wonderful statements on visible transformative developments in several areas within the college ranging from the introduction of marketable courses to massive infrastructural developments.
Dr Wurie further stated the Government of Sierra Leone’s commitment to supporting tertiary institutions in providing quality learning environments for students. He also encouraged staff and students of FBC to imbibe the culture of working towards protecting and upgrading the credibility of their college.
Administratively stating the premium importance of FBC as an academic institution contributing to national development, the Vice Chancellor and Principal of USL, Professor Foday Sahr disclosed that the USL Administration has effortlessly been working periodically in reviewing its standards distinctly highlighting the curriculum review processes geared towards meeting the current demands of the 21st Century Job Market. He also bravely highlighted some the challenges faced as a University , but was quick to express hope stating that the Government of Sierra Leone, Partners of USL, Alumni , and staff have all been supportive to the developmental initiatives of USL.
Extensively speaking on the need to improve standards in the college, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of FBC, Professor Lawrence Kamara highlighted some of the recent strides of the College Administration in repositioning the college in the 21th Century Sierra Leone.
‘’Following my appointment as Deputy Vice Chancellor of FBC in 2019, we have made considerable achievements as a college in areas such as providing the much needed security on campus, instilling discipline on campus, providing quality education for students , reviving the Alumni Association of FBC , resurrecting Students Union Government Activities , infrastructural developments and working tirelessly in reinstating the hotel facility for students among other things. We therefore call on our partners and the Alumni Association of FBC to give their supports in sustaining and improving the aforesaid areas,” Professor Kamara stated.
Other distinguished speakers at the ceremony who passionately spoke on the immense importance for all parties concerned to positively work in providing the much needed supports to the college included the Registrar of USL, Olive A.K Barrie , the Deputy Registrar of FBC, Vivian M’cEwen , the President of the Academic Staff Association of FBC, Dr Williette, P.R.O. James , the Chairman of the event, Dr Abdulai Walon-Jalloh, and the Vice President of the FBC Students Union Government, Ms. Claudia J.D Redwood Sawyerr.
The Anniversary Celebration was climaxed with the hoisting of the college flag by the Pro Chancellor of USL.
