Koidu:The University of Science and Technology (KUST) has appointed Margaret June James as its second Chancellor, marking a significant milestone in the advancement of women's leadership within Sierra Leone's higher education sector.
According to Sierra Leone News Agency, the installation ceremony was attended by various dignitaries, including the Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr. Ramatulai Wurie. Dr. Wurie commended the late Justice Nyawo Maturie Jones, KUST's inaugural Chancellor, for her foundational role in the university's development. She expressed confidence in James's leadership and reiterated the government's commitment to promoting women in senior leadership roles.
The event underscored the Chancellor's strategic role in guiding the university's growth and emphasized KUST's contribution to expanding access to higher education and enhancing scientific and technological expertise among young people. Dr. Wurie also highlighted the government's focus on human capital development and the utilization of land provided by Gbense Chiefdom for the university's expansion.
E. J. Momoh, Esq., Director of Higher Education, referenced the Universities Act of 2021 as the legal framework for the installation of university Chancellors. Permanent Secretary Mohamed Sheick Kargbo celebrated James's appointment as a significant step for women's leadership, advocating for equal opportunities in national leadership.
Professor Tamba Jamirue, KUST Vice Chancellor, reflected on the university's journey under the Universities Act of 2021, highlighting achievements such as nursing program approval and the establishment of the KUST Knowledge Hub. Further expansion plans in Nimikoro Chiefdom were also mentioned.
Traditional authorities, including Paramount Chief Bockarie Duramani Soloko and PC Komba Sangor Korgbende Kaimachiandeh IV, emphasized the need for agricultural development and the completion of KUST's main campus. Professor Joe A. D. Alie, Chancellor of Eastern Technical University, praised James's installation and stressed the importance of extending higher education's reach.
In her address, Chancellor James thanked Kono's people and traditional authorities for their support and highlighted her longstanding connection to the district. She prioritized a proposed $32 million university construction project and expressed her commitment to transforming KUST into a leading center for science, technology, research, and innovation.
James also emphasized staff welfare, professional development, and responsible resource management as vital for sustainable development. She encouraged students to maintain ethical standards and academic excellence, asserting that collaboration among stakeholders would enhance KUST's position as a leading science and technology education center in Sierra Leone.