By: Ibrahim J. Conteh
The Press conference which was held at the Great Hall- Milton Margai College, Goderich campus in celebration of the transformation of the Milton Margai College to a Technical University saw staff members, students and members of the fourth Estate in the spirit of thanksgiving and adoration for making this day a reality.
Giving a statement, the Vice Principal who also doubles as the Director of Studies, Dr. Mohamed A. Jalloh thanked the Principal for according him the privilege to make a statement, citing that he feels very pleased working under his presiding authority. He noted that this is a history moment for all, adding that the institution which was founded in 1963, has transformed itself several times from the teachers training department at tower hill to train teachers for the lower levels of secondary school to the Milton Margai College of Education in 1995; the Milton Margai College of Education and Technology which transformed the college into a polytechnic and now the Milton Margai Technical University. The several strive made in the transformation of the college to what it is today, he noted is the young dynamic and transformational leader at the helm of affairs. “Having served under four Principles, I have no iota of doubt in my mind that this college has been lucy to have not only a son of the soil but someone who is determined against all odds to transform this institution into a university”, Dr. Jalloh exclaimed.
Making his statement, the Principle, Dr. Philip John Kanu, expressed delight for such an auspicious event thanking God for making this dream a reality. He added that when the president came to commission the road at Goderich, he made a pronouncement that Milton Margai College would be transformed into a university. Though the pronouncement of the President was applauded by some class of people, there were others who thought otherwise. Those who were ‘against’ the idea of transforming the Milton Margai college in to a technical university were of the view that the initiative was ill-timed and not well thought out, and that it was only a calculated attempt by the then-ruling government to win political points. The above views were expressed partly because of the parliamentary bye-election at Cons.110 that was at hand.
Thought the SLPP didn’t win the election but true to his word Dr. Kanu added, the President has succeeded in actualizing that part of his pronouncement into reality, which he added was not part of his manifestos promise, but to what he describes as a ‘bonus’ to the people of Sierra Leone and the Goderich community in general.
“I’m so thankful working under A President that is so passionate about education and the need to develop the human capital of young people” Dr. Kanu expressed.
He describes the President has a selfless man who has the fear of God. Had it been the foresights of the President, this dream wouldn’t have been realized.
The President in his wisdom thought it prudent to convert the Milton Margai College into technical university in a quest to further enrich training of high-level technical skills in the areas of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and also to provide more progression avenues for technical and vocational students from technical colleges and institutions.
The president has not only succeeded in transforming the College in to a Technical university but has also secured funding to overhauled the entire Goderich campus betting a university status, and as well as Congo Cross and Brookfields campuses where construction work has already begun Dr. Kanu revealed. He further explained they now have a mandate to roll out a work plan for the next phase of their administration which key among them is to maintained standards, which include installation of projectors and white boards in every class room. He also added that improving standards also means capacitating Lectures, by having them accessing free websites that would enable them to do internal courses, education and training for productive employment is a prerequisite for economic and social development, and it is expected that pursuing these reforms will boost skills development for industry Dr. Kanu stated.
In his concluded statement, Dr. Kanu lauded the President of being a man of his words, as the transformation of the college to a technical university can be seen as a re-branding and strategic move which will benefit students and also improve the public Image of university, as this will grant them the same level of respect and privilege accorded to university students in the country.
The event which was chaired by the College’s Public relation Officer Ms. Elizabeth Sesay was climax with questions and answers sessions.