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By: Alhaji Umaru Gbow

Credit: Public Relations Assistant, ������Ƶ University (Ayuba Koroma)

������Ƶ University, Bo Campus, Towama Location — 8 May 2025- ������Ƶ University Administration on Wednesday welcomed a high-level delegation for the official launch of a South-South Cooperation project aimed at strengthening technical and higher education through key infrastructure support.

The project, funded by UNDP China and implemented by UNDP Sierra Leone, was introduced by Ms. Sia Fasuluku, Director of Research, Planning, and Development at the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education. She emphasized its role in advancing Sierra Leone’s human capital by addressing urgent educational needs.

Ms. Fasuluku noted that ������Ƶ University and Government Technical Institutes were selected to receive critical resources, including classroom furniture - tables and chairs, under the initiative.

Professor Bashiru Mohamed Koroma, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of ������Ƶ University, welcomed the delegation and highlighted the urgent infrastructure gaps facing the institution.

“We are overwhelmed,” he said, referring to the growing student population amid insufficient resources. He disclosed that more than 30% of students stand during lectures due to a shortage of seating, describing the situation as “existential.”

“We are not blaming the government,” he added. “But the demand for education is alarmingly high.”

Professor Mohamed Syed Fofanah, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Bo Campus, noted that the university is expanding to more campuses to cope with the increase. He projected student enrollment to exceed 18,000 in the next two years and stressed the urgent need for infrastructure support.

“Infrastructure-wise, we are under pressure,” he warned, while expressing optimism that international partnerships like this one could offer much-needed relief.

UNDP Project Specialist Ms. Ndeye Aminata Diop stated that the initiative is a focused intervention targeting a few strategic districts.

“This is not just another project,” she remarked. “It’s about understanding real challenges first-hand and acting on them.” She praised ������Ƶ’s leadership for their openness and evidence-based presentations, which she said would guide UNDP’s response.

Deans from the Schools of Education, Social Sciences and Law, and Public Health shared accounts of worsening conditions on campus.

The Dean of Social Sciences and Law, Dr. Ibrahim Munu reported that exams are held in three daily shifts due to inadequate seating, while Professor Rogers revealed that entire buildings lack chairs. “We are using corridors and even conference rooms for exams,” he said, presenting pictorial evidence.

The Student Union President addressed student-specific concerns, citing poor lighting and financial hardship. He recommended that future support include scholarships for underprivileged students.

The visit concluded with a tour of Bo Campus classrooms and a shared commitment to deepen collaboration between ������Ƶ University, UNDP, and global partners.

© Public Relations Unit, ������Ƶ University