October 10, 2018
By Ishmael Sallieu Koroma
Five Staff from the African Methodist Episcopal University (AMEU) in Liberia have been enrolled into the University of Sierra Leone (USL) to pursue Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in various disciplines, according to a release from the Director of Alumni and International Relations of the university.
“Their areas of study include Sociology, International Development Studies, International Relations, Science Education, Biochemistry and Genetics respectively,” the release states.
According to the release, signed by the Director of Alumni and International Relations, Mrs. Bernadette Cole, the candidates, who arrived in Sierra Leone on September 30, were accompanied by the President of AMEU, Dr. Joseph T. Isaac, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Timothy Kie, and Marketing and International Relations Director, Miss Charlene Carey.
“The decision of the prospective candidates to pursue their Ph.Ds. at USL marks the commencement of the actualisation of the Memorandum of Understanding between the two universities to work closely together to strengthen their individual and collective academic programmes in a variety of academic and research disciplines,” the release further states.
It adds that the areas of collaboration include award of scholarships, faculty and staff exchange, capacity building especially in faculty and staff development, Joint research and development projects, collaboration in publication, joint workshops and training programmes, students exchange, supervision of higher degrees/thesis, engagement as external examiners and curriculum development and review.
According to the release, at a meeting with the visiting team at Tower Hill, Vice Chancellor of USL Professor Foday Sahr thanked the delegation from AMEU for choosing the university to pursue their Doctor of Philosophy degree in various disciplines.
He commended the five prospective Ph.D. candidates for the bold step in pursuing such academic venture and assured them of the support of the entire university.
He stressed that the MOU between the two universities would help both parties meet global standards and promote academic excellence among staff, faculty and students.
He highlighted several partnerships forged by the University of Sierra Leone and other universities worldwide, and assured the team of USL’s commitment to the implementation of the MOU.
President of AMEU, Professor Joseph Isaac commended USL for its excellent role in promoting higher education in Africa, especially in the sub-region, and added that its commendable reputation over the years was the driving tool for his university to seek collaboration in various academic disciplines.
He encouraged both parties to be consistent in the implementation of the MOU and added that the enrolment of five of his staff for the Ph.D. was a manifestation of his University’s commitment in assuring fruitful collaboration between the two universities.
At another meeting held at Fourah Bay College (FBC) campus, the delegation from Liberia met with Deputy Vice Chancellor of Fourah Bay College, Prof Lawrence Kamara, Dean of Postgraduate Studies Professor Joe .A.D. Ali, Deans of Faculties and Heads of Departments of the prospective Ph.D. candidates, while further discussions were held on the way forward for the actualisation of the MOU.
The delegation also met with the Minister of Technical and Tertiary Education, Professor Aiah Gbakima, Ambassador of Liberia to Sierra Leone, Madam Musu Rauh and Secretary-General of the Mano River Union, Madam Madina Wesseh.