In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enhancing civic engagement and fostering academic collaboration, the Ministry of Information and Civic Education has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Fourah Bay College (FBC), part of the University of Sierra Leone. The official signing ceremony, which took place at the Minister’s office, signifies a mutual commitment to advancing government communication, promoting civic education, and preserving the national heritage of Sierra Leone.
The ceremony was attended by Professor Kelleh Gbawuru-Mansaray, the Vice Chancellor and Principal of the University of Sierra Leone. He expressed profound gratitude to the Minister for extending this partnership to the country’s oldest university, an institution that has produced many of Sierra Leone’s esteemed professionals, including several distinguished individuals present at the ceremony.
Professor Gbawuru-Mansaray highlighted the university’s preparedness and capability to fulfill the objectives outlined in the MOU. The agreement focuses on collaboration in several key areas, including government communication, which is aligned with the Department of Mass Communication; national history and civic awareness, connected to the Department of History and Political Science; and the preservation of government archives, relevant to the Department of Library, Archive and Information Studies.
He expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating that the university welcomes this opportunity with open arms and looks forward to implementing the agreement through meaningful initiatives that will benefit the broader community. The Vice Chancellor also noted FBC’s strong history of successful partnerships and expressed eagerness to see this new relationship thrive through shared objectives and collaborative efforts.
In his remarks, the Minister of Information and Civic Education thanked the leadership of Fourah Bay College for their willingness to embrace this partnership. He emphasized the strategic significance of the collaboration, asserting that it represents a vital step toward deepening public understanding of national issues and promoting civic responsibility, particularly among the youth and student population.
The Minister further elaborated that this partnership is not confined to local initiatives, as it also includes collaboration with international partners such as New York University and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. He indicated that these expanded partnerships aim to enhance the quality and reach of civic initiatives throughout Sierra Leone, thereby benefiting a wider audience.
As part of the MOU, the Ministry and the University have committed to co-organizing national civic events, with one of the first being the upcoming Sierra Leone Independence Day celebration. While the country officially marks its independence on April 27th, a significant commemorative event is scheduled for April 28th at the Fourah Bay College Amphitheatre. This event is anticipated to be the first of many collaborative national engagements aimed at promoting civic education and national pride.
The signing ceremony concluded with the formal endorsement of the MOU, followed by a cordial exchange of pleasantries between the leadership of the Ministry and the University. This interaction set a positive tone for what is expected to be a dynamic and fruitful collaboration in the months and years to come, ultimately benefiting both institutions and the community at large.
