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Dr. Sylvia Blyden, a prominent politician and activist, has voiced her concerns over the ongoing conflict between the Ministry of Tertiary Education and staff of the University of Sierra Leone (USL).
The dispute centers around the appointment of an acting vice chancellor and principal (VC&P) for the university. The Ministry of Tertiary Education recently dissolved the USL Court, which previously held the authority to make such appointments. This decision followed a period of disagreement over the appointment process.
Taking to social media, Dr. Blyden who graduated from the university, expressed her strong disapproval of the situation. In a statement, she said, “As an alumni of the University of Sierra Leone… I’m DEEPLY unhappy with illegalities that are unfolding under H.E. President Maada Bio’s supervision of the Minister of Tertiary Education, especially the flagrant bullying of my former classmate Prof. Dr. Mohamed Samai.”
The letter from the ministry noted that after the enactment of the Universities Act of 2021, the Court of the University of Sierra Leone (USL) failed to appoint a Pro-Vice Chancellor of the university as stipulated in Section 9 (1) of the said Act noting that, in the absence of the substantive Vice Chancellor and Principal (VC&P), the Pro-Vice Chancellor acts in his/her stead.
Meanwhile the Acting Vice Chancellor and Principal, University of Sierra Leone, Professor Aiah Lebbie has assumed office on, 26th February, 2024.
According to USL, he was appointed pursuant to Section 8(5) of The Universities Act No 5 2021 by the Hon Minister of Technical and Higher Education with immediate effect. His roles and responsibilities are spelt out in subsection 4 paragraphs (a-e) of the said Act.
The said appointment has sparked some controversy from members of the Public and Civil Society Organizations questioning the legality of the dissolvement of the University Court.
