In recognition of their dedication and outstanding performances in carrying out their academic duties within the University of Sierra Leone, the Academic Staff Association, University of Sierra Leone has on Friday, April 1, 2022 held its annual award ceremony with the theme: “Celebrating Excellence in Academia”.
The award ceremony was held at the Ajayi Crowther Amphitheatre, Fourah Bay College.
The award features categories like: Outstanding Lecturer within Department, Outstanding Heads of Department, Lecturer of the Year, Head of Department of the Year, Dean of the Year, DVC of the Year, Campus of the Year, Emerging Scholar of the Year, Role Model Award: 30+ Publications, Leadership Award, and Excellence Award.
In her address, President of ASA-USL, Dr. Williette James, said that over the years lecturers were faced with financial challenges, and urging the Government to effect increment on their salaries. She said that as a body they had been able to identify and put forward their challenges to the authorities.
She added that as a unified body, they were able to successfully achieve 75% salary increment with an impact on other universities, including the Njala University (NU) and Ernest Bai Koroma University (EBK), who stood firmly by them and took tough measures together to achieve a common goal.
Dr. James cited that in 2021, they thoroughly reviewed the Conditions of Service (COS) of Academic and Administrative Staff of all public tertiary institutions in the country, adding that their next step is to ensure that the new COS policy is approved.
“We were entirely confident and certain about the path we had to follow for the Association to successfully overcome those many challenges. With that goal in mind, in 2021, we had series of engagements with pertinent authorities in the USL and the Central Government on issues relating to salary adjustments as well as on issues that bordered around suitable learning environment amidst Covid-19 pandemic,” Dr. James said.
She also mentioned that, ASA had laid the foundation for the sustainable and profitable growth of staffs in the future, citing that in that regard, they had undertaken ambitious range of structural actions and decisions, through appropriate scheme for sustainable financial contributions.
“These positive strides, ladies and gentlemen, should transform most of ASA-USL’s operational dimensions,” she said.
The Deputy Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Sarjoh Aziz Kamara, lauded ASA for the leadership in organizing the event to enhance the output and proficiency of Lecturers and Professors in contributing to education and national development.
He said that apart of 75% increase in salaries of lecturers, they are going to improve on the condition of service of university staffs.
He congratulated all awardees and asked them to continue their dedication and outstanding performances in carrying out their academic duties within the University of Sierra Leone.
By Ibrahim S. Bangura