By Abubakarr Harding
Over 4000 newly-admitted students went through an orientation ceremony on the 14th December, 2022 at the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM), University of Sierra Leone. The occasion was meant to introduce the new students to the rules and regulations which they are expected to abide by while pursuing their courses at the University.
In addressing the new students, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of IPAM, Prof Miriam Conteh-Morgan, reminded the students of how important they are in the history of IPAM for they are the first set of students to join the IPAM family when the institution has its first female Student Union Government President and the first female Vice Chancellor.
She encouraged the students to work together in making IPAM a beautiful experience for to go through. She advised that choosing IPAM means that they have decided to become professionals in their respective fields of study which means the students have decided to become productive citizens of Sierra Leone. She emphasized that each student will not leave IPAM the same person and urged them to follow the rules and regulations on campus. She concluded by reminding the students to work hard and play less.
Giving an overview of the University of Sierra Leone the Registrar, University of Sierra Leone, Madam Olive Barrie welcomed the new students to the University of Sierra Leone and explained the University administrative structures and how they function to the students in order for them to know the lines of communication and reporting. She maintained that the leadership of the three institutions FBC, COMAHS and IPAM is ready to give students the required support at all times.
Madam Barrie dilated on some of the rules and regulations of the University relating to the conduct of students and appealed to the students to disassociate from all forms of indiscipline.
Deputy Registrar, IPAM-USL,
Munda J. S. Lebbie said that at IPAM, lecturers add value to the thinking abilities of their students and that students must keep an open mind and embrace diversity and tolerate different views. He noted that students must uphold academic freedom and freedom of expression and accept responsibility. He reminded them of the university’s mission of demonstrating and transmitting knowledge through quality teaching and research. He ended by admonishing the students that the road to success is not easy but with hard work and perseverance it is possible to achieve your dreams.
The Dean of the Faculty of Accountancy and Finance, Dr. Ezekiel Duramany-Lakkoh, warned that students should not allow themselves to be distracted by the special syndicate and emphasized to students that at IPAM, lecturers do not make or sell pamphlets and therefore urged students not to allow themselves to be exploited. He ended by encouraging the students to take classes, pay attention and study well.
The Dean of the Faculty of Leadership and Governance, Dr. Hindowa B. Momoh added that students need to be serious to survive in his department. He further encouraged the students to know how important his department is in equipping them with leadership and managerial skills. He also advised students to take their work seriously since as a department they give students the encouragement and skills to possess such qualities.
Dr. Mohamed Sheriff, Dean of the Faculty of Information Systems & Technology, said that they have assessed students to know that they are capable of receiving a degree. He also reminded students of how tough the competition was to gain admission and he therefore urged students not to let the administration down by wasting this opportunity provided by the university. He concluded by urging students to be serious so that at the end of their four years’ course they will come out as educated people.
The Assistant Dean of Faculty of Business Administration and Entrepreneurship, Dr. Ernest Udeh, disclosed that the faculty consists of three departments ie: Procurement, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Human Resource Management and Entrepreneurship and Marketing and that these courses are tailored to meet the demands of the country. He called on the students to be attentive and to take their work seriously.
The students were also given an overview of detailed information about University life ranging from academic to social life.
On behalf of the USL, the Finance Director encouraged the students to meet all financial obligations on time as that is key in their registration process.
The vote of thanks was given by the Students Union President who advised her colleagues to be diligent, respect authority and be law-abiding to be successful in their work.
