Post a comment 
Plans are underway for the construction of a Sierra Leone-China Education Exchange Centre at Fourah Bay College (FBC), University of Sierra Leone, marking a new milestone in the educational partnership between the two nations.
The project was formally discussed during an engagement at the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE) conference room in Freetown, where a Chinese technical delegation met with Sierra Leonean counterparts.
MTHE’s Director of Higher Education, Emmanuel J. Momoh Esq., who chaired the session, described the initiative as a significant boost to the country’s efforts in expanding academic facilities and addressing classroom congestion.
“The establishment of this centre is not just an infrastructural investment but a direct contribution to Sierra Leone’s human capital development,” Mr. Momoh noted, commending China’s continuous support to the education sector.
Rev. Olive Harding, Local Director of the Confucius Institute at USL, recalled that the concept for the exchange centre had been developed over the past two years, with FBC already allocating land for the project. He described the centre as a “bridge of learning” that will open more opportunities for students and scholars in both countries.
Representatives from the Chinese Embassy and the China Energy Engineering Design Institute (CEEDI) highlighted plans for site inspections and technical assessments to ensure the facility meets sustainability standards, including reliable water and power supply. Discussions also confirmed that ownership of the centre will rest with FBC, under the supervision of the Ministry.
When completed, the centre will house modern classrooms, lecture halls, and offices, while also fostering academic exchanges, scholarships, and joint research programmes.
All parties pledged to accelerate site visits and finalize technical evaluations to ensure timely implementation of the project.
