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Prof. Ezekiel Kalvin Duramany-Lakkoh, Deputy Vice Chancellor of the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM), has formalised a strategic partnership with several technical, vocational, and entrepreneurship institutions aimed at embedding practical skills training into the university’s undergraduate programmes.
The initiative forms part of Prof. Duramany-Lakkoh’s Strategic Repositioning, Rebranding, and Transformation Agenda, which seeks to ensure that students graduate with both academic knowledge and hands-on technical competencies.
During the signing ceremony, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between IPAM and partner institutions, committing all parties to strengthening technical education, entrepreneurship development, and industry-oriented learning within the university system.
According to the agreement, IPAM will integrate practical modules, internships, and entrepreneurship training into existing academic programmes to ensure that every student completes a structured technical skills development programme before graduation.
The move is expected to make the university’s four-year degree programmes more responsive to labour market demands while improving graduate employability across Sierra Leone.
Partner institutions and entrepreneurship collaborators involved in the initiative include REAPS Technical and Vocational Institute, as well as SLEEK Entrepreneurship Academy partners such as Stay Okay Enterprise, Vision Investment and Digital Tech Hub, Environmental Youth Empowerment, and Thimzy Empowerment Initiative (Thimzy Event).
Speaking on the significance of the partnership, the IPAM leadership emphasised that the initiative is designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and workplace expectations through practical exposure and entrepreneurship support.
The university noted that students are expected to benefit from enhanced employability opportunities, entrepreneurship mentorship and incubation support, as well as improved access to vocational and technical competencies embedded within their degree programmes.
IPAM Management also expressed appreciation to all stakeholders and contributors who supported the launch and signing ceremony. The university disclosed plans to roll out pilot training modules, establish placement pipelines with partner institutions, and continuously assess graduate outcomes to improve programme delivery.
The institution further signalled its openness to additional partnerships aimed at deepening practical learning, innovation, and entrepreneurship development.
The MoU marks a significant step in IPAM’s transformation toward a more practice-oriented higher education model, positioning graduates to compete effectively in an evolving job market while contributing to Sierra Leone’s economic growth and resilience.
Signed by John Foday Koroma, Assistant Head of the Statistics and Students’ Information Unit, on behalf of IPAM.
