By Sahid Bangura

Some key players of the Administration of Fourah Bay College, who celebrated the college’s 197th years of excellence on the 19th February 2024, acknowledged the vast contributions of the college in the field of academia, and highlighted strategic plans of transforming the college to a better place for learning.

The Foundation Day Flag Raising Ceremony of the college was held at the Davidson Nicol Administrative Building, FBC, and chaired by Mrs. Elizabeth L. A. Kamara, a Lecturer of the Modern Languages Department. The keynote speakers of the ceremony were Professor Kelleh Gbawuru Mansaray, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Mr. Brima Bah, the Deputy Registrar, and Mr. Munda J. S. Lebbie, the Acting University Registrar.

While expressing the efforts of the administration of the college in overcoming some challenges due to inadequate funding, Professor Kelleh Gbawuru disclosed the breakthrough of projects coming into the college, consultancies, short courses and effective management of the college’s assets as a way of increasing the revenue base of the college, and improving the learning environment, Students’ and staff’s welfare.

During the ceremony, the DVC informed all those that were present about the Freetown Innovative Hub, which he said it would be using waste materials like plastic to fabricate blocks for construction, and said that the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture has already begun the Waste Management Certificate and Diploma Courses in partnership with WHH. The campus is set at the Tree Planting Yard.

Reportedly, in an effort of planning for the Bicentennial Celebration in 2027, the Administration has set up a committee chaired by associate Professor Fofanah Ibrahim; “She informed the gathering about some of the activities of the committee in ensuring effective and participatory planning. These include research about FBC, comparative studies of similar celebrations, public engagement, funding strategies and mobilizing alumni.”

The DVC noted that they have started exploring opportunities and support for evolving the Havelock Playing Field to a “standard mini stadium that will be able to host professional sporting matches.”

Mr. Bah, while acknowledging the progress of the college during the reign of the Administration of Professor Kelleh Gbawuru, he said: “The transformation of the college is being accelerated through the DVC Agenda 2022-2025. Just over a year in implementation of the Agenda, the signs of great transformation have become apparent. Academic excellence is being enhanced, alongside the promotion of arts and culture, sports and entertainment, innovation and entrepreneurship.”

The Acting University Registrar, Mr. Munda J. S. Lebbie congratulated the college’s administration for celebrating the college’s 197 years of excellence, and called on all the Alumni on campus to help liberate the college, so as to make it fit for conducive learning.