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The Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), in partnership with UNICEF Sierra Leone, has hosted a graduation and certification ceremony for 66 students who completed a free digital skills training program.
The ceremony took place at the Digital Learning Hub located within the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM) in Freetown.
The graduates completed the four-week “Tech 101 Work Readiness Course,” which focuses on practical, hands-on computer skills. Participants were trained in essential workplace software, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
For many of the students, the program provided their first opportunity to use a computer, equipping them with the confidence and digital tools needed for modern education and employment.
A Nationwide Initiative
Hub Manager Ibrahim Swaray noted that the training was delivered entirely free of charge by staff from both DSTI and UNICEF.
According to Roaming Hub Manager John Dupiny, the IPAM group is the first of four cohorts planned for 2026. Similar Tech 101 programs are currently being rolled out at Fourah Bay College, the Ernest Bai Koroma University of Science and Technology, and Eastern Technical University.
During the ceremony, DSTI Project Officer Ahmed Turay urged the graduates to take their newly acquired skills back to their communities and encourage others to enroll in future sessions.
The event also highlighted personal success stories from the participants. Notably, Santigie Kamara, an Office Assistant at DSTI, was among the graduates. Kamara stepped outside his regular duties to participate in the course, successfully building his own digital work-readiness skills alongside the students.
