PSRU Concludes Entrance Meetings for Public Universities Under Higher Education Review

The Public Sector Reform Unit (PSRU) has concluded entrance meetings with public universities in Freetown, marking another milestone in the Government of Sierra Leone’s Management and Functional Review (MFR) of the country’s higher education sector.

The meetings, held on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, form part of a nationwide assessment aimed at strengthening the governance, efficiency, and effectiveness of public universities in delivering quality higher education.

The entrance meetings officially launched the review process within each institution and provided an opportunity for university authorities and other stakeholders to gain a clear understanding of the objectives, scope, methodology, and expected outcomes of the exercise. The engagement also sought to secure the cooperation of university management, academic staff, and administrative personnel throughout the review.

Speaking during the engagement, PSRU Chief of Programmes, Albert Williams, said the meetings were intended to establish effective communication between the review team and university stakeholders while encouraging their support and active participation.

Williams said the review supports the Government’s broader public sector reform agenda by promoting transparency, accountability, and institutional effectiveness. He noted that the exercise is also expected to improve the quality of higher education, enhance graduate employability, and strengthen the contribution of universities to national development.

According to him, the review will assess the strengths and challenges of public universities and recommend practical reforms to improve governance, operational efficiency, accountability, and overall institutional performance.

The Vice Chancellor and Principal of the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS), Professor James Russell, welcomed the initiative and pledged the institution’s full cooperation throughout the review process. He expressed confidence that the exercise would contribute to improving the university’s efficiency and effectiveness.

The Management and Functional Review was initiated following a Cabinet decision to assess whether public universities have appropriate governance structures, effective administrative systems, adequate human resource capacity, sound financial and operational management, and alignment with national education priorities.

As part of the exercise, PSRU will examine key areas including governance and leadership, organisational structures, human resource management, financial management, resource allocation, revenue generation, and institutional accountability.

Upon completion, the review is expected to provide recommendations aimed at strengthening governance, improving service delivery, enhancing operational efficiency, optimising the use of financial and human resources, modernising university management systems, and aligning higher education institutions with Sierra Leone’s national development objectives.