The second congregation ceremony of the Milton Margai Technical University (MMTU) for the 2022-2024 conferment of degrees and awards of diplomas and certificates to 2,848 grandaunts took place on Saturday, 14th December 2024, at its Peace and Love Amphitheatre, Goderich Campus in Freetown, with the theme for this year being: ‘Education is the Catalyst for Change.’
This is the last conferment of degrees, diplomas and certificates under Njala University and the University of Sierra Leone, respectively.
The keynote speaker, First Lady Dr Fatima Bio, disclosed that the law preventing girls from being married under the age of 18 had been enacted and that Sexual and Gender-Based Violence against women and girls is now punishable by law.
She continued that 30% of women are now in governance and the decision-making process, citing the GEWE Act, and urged the graduates to manage their expectations. She expressed thanks and appreciation to the President for transforming the institution into a Technical University.
The First Lady also informed the graduates that Sierra Leone is waiting for them to implement the Big 5 Game Changers that would transform the country to another level.
The Vice-Chancellor and Principal of MMTU, Professor Philip John Kanu, asserted that the day is great for the graduands, as well as an honour and privilege, and extended profound thanks and appreciation to His Excellency the President for transforming the institution into a Technical University, furthering that the MMTU has gone through various transformations under successive SLPP governments since its establishment under the First Prime Minister, Sir Milton Margai, which, he reiterated, is a great history.
He furthered that the current SLPP government has solicited funds for the renovation of the three campuses of the MMTU for the first time in its 60 years history, with the BADEA Project of $20 million to construct a new Administrative and University Buildings, Auditorium for over 5,000, and Amphitheatre overlooking the sea. He commended the President for appointing two former lecturers in the institution as Cabinet Ministers, adding that the President has done a lot for MMTU.
According to Professor Kanu, President Julius Maada Bio has provided a safe environment for women and girls, and now is the time to give women and girls the opportunity to thrive with the enactment of the Gender Bill that was unanimously approved by Parliament.
Highlighting activities for the year, he catalogued formulation of the strategic plan, facelift of the institution and transformation from Polytechnic to University, financial sustainability, quality assurance, policies and procedures and building partnerships, ERASMUS Funding, the entrepreneur project, a state-of-the-art diagnostic laboratory, one of the best in the country, conducting research and publishing journals.
He furthered that when you educate a woman, you educate a nation, furthering that lecturers now receive regular salaries from the Government, that the MMTU undertakes Corporate Social Responsibility by erecting street lights in communities like Goderich, road construction at Congo Cross, leading to the campus and launching of the Endowment Fund during its 60th anniversary. On challenges, he highlighted encroachment of the MMTU land, especially Goderich, and sexual harassment.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Vice Principal and Director of Studies at MMTU, Dr. Mohamed Alie Jalloh, observed that the day is special for the institution, illustrious alumni and visiting professors.
He revealed that the MMTU has a special relationship with the Guest Speaker and First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Mrs Fatima Bio, and congratulated all the graduates, parents and sponsors for their hard work and sacrifices, adding that God will reward them.
He furthered that graduation is the beginning, as education is a life-long journey, and called on them to embody the essence of MMTU.
Statements were also made by the Chancellor of the MMTU, Dr. Victor Kabia and the Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr. Ramatulai Wurie, respectively.
Highlights of the well-attended ceremony were the award of degrees, certificates and diplomas to grandaunts, the pledge to join the Alumni Association led by Mr Ishamel Kebbay, and the award of prizes to the best male (Arthur Dominic Margai) and female (Finda Rosaline Tarawalie) graduands by Mr. Adonis Aboud of Transnational Sierra Leone Limited, and the Overall Best Performing Students: Arthur Dominic Margai and Finda Rosaline Tarawalie by Africell Telecommunications Company. Other highlights were the singing of the University Song and the National Anthem while the vote of thanks was delivered by the University Orator, Mr. Santigie Conteh.
