The Milton Margai Technical University (MMTU) on Saturday, March 12, 2022 conferred degrees, diploma and certificates to more than 1000 graduands who completed various courses from 2015 – 2021.
The graduation ceremony was held at the University amphitheatre in Goderich.
In his address, the Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the Milton Margai Technical University, Prof Philip John Kanu, expressed appreciation to the Government of Sierra Leone for transforming the institution from College to University status, adding that the move of the government shows the desire for education and to improve human capital development.
He added that in order to maintain its university status, they have developed five strategic objectives with their main pillar to ensure access and support to the middle-level manpower as a Technical University.
Professor Kanu cited that the introduction of short courses in the university would give opportunity to those who are without university requirement to acquire skills that would be beneficial to the society, adding that for the institution to be financially stable they would be engaging in business that would bring income to the institution.
Professor Kanu recounted that because of the institution university status, 2500 students matriculated this year. He added that one Million Dollars grant had been provided by the government through education projects for the rehabilitation work and construction of news buildings within the three campuses.
He admonished graduands to reflect on their achievements over the years of their academic journey and implored them to be exceptional and represent this country.
In his remark, the Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Prof Alpha Tejan Wurie, described graduands as ‘triumphant’ for the successful completion of their studies, adding that graduands should be aware that the world is rapidly changing therefore they must shape themselves for the new job market requirements.
Prof Wurie affirmed government endless support to the institution, citing that in September this year, the civil works will start with the sum of US$17 Million for the rehabilitation and construction of buildings in the University.
He added that a grant-in-aid would be given to lecturers with MSc to be upgraded to PhD, adding that the first batch would be enrolled into University landscape.