45 Secondary School Students Graduate from IPAM’s College Prep Program

The Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM), University of Sierra Leone, has certified 45 secondary school students who successfully completed a four-week College Preparation Program (CPP) designed to help them transition smoothly into university life.

The intensive training, which commenced on September 8, 2025, covered key academic and professional skill areas, including academic ethics, critical thinking, college writing, ICT, presentation skills, and basic mathematics. The initiative, spearheaded by Professor Miriam Conteh-Morgan, was aimed at nurturing discipline, confidence, and readiness among potential university students.

Speaking at the certification ceremony, Professor Ezekiel Duramany Lakkoh, the newly appointed Deputy Vice Chancellor of IPAM, underscored the significance of the program, describing it as the first of its kind in Sierra Leone’s higher education sector.

“We are the very first institution to roll out this type of program for potential freshmen and women,” he said. “This bridges the gap in preparedness for secondary school pupils transitioning to the university system of learning. The CPP sets the pace to develop disciplined students in their various programs.”

In recognition of outstanding performance, Prof. Lakkoh awarded Le 1,000 to the best graduating student, noting that the certificates earned through the program were not merely symbolic but could serve as a foundation for employment opportunities even before university graduation.

Also addressing the event, Mr. Albert Bayoh, Deputy Registrar at IPAM, encouraged participants to apply for admission to IPAM if qualified. “We want to develop the skills and confidence levels students need while in the university so it will be easier for them to navigate,” he said.

The graduates expressed deep appreciation for the transformative experience. “The Critical Thinking and Public Speaking aspects have prepared me for the tasks ahead, and I believe they will definitely help me navigate well in my studies,” said James David Massaquoi, who aspires to study Procurement and Supply at IPAM.

Elizabeth, an aspiring IT student, shared, “I learned a lot about Microsoft, particularly Word and PowerPoint. My being here was worth it.” Margaret R. Stevens, who plans to pursue journalism at Fourah Bay College, added, “The Critical Thinking and College Writing programs will help me with my book writing and have also enhanced my problem-solving skills.”

According to Dr. Shekou Ansumana Nuni, the program’s coordinator, the CPP is not just a preparatory course but a transformative educational model designed to foster academic integrity, discipline, and long-term institutional excellence. “This initiative is about building a culture of preparedness and excellence. We hope other universities and colleges will adopt similar frameworks to better prepare students for higher education,” Dr. Nuni emphasized.

The College Preparation Program (CPP) stands as a pioneering step in bridging the gap between secondary and tertiary education in Sierra Leone equipping students not only with knowledge but with the right attitude, confidence, and work ethic to thrive in university and beyond.