The Academic and Administrative staff and students of the Milton Margai College of Education and Technology (MMCE&T) on Friday 8th February 2019 unanimously declared that the transformation of the College to a university status is overdue after over 50 years of academic excellence in producing quality teachers and other professionals and after 18 years as a polytechnic.
The statement was made at the inaugural Principal’s breakfast meeting on the theme ‘Re-professionalizing and Repositioning MMCE&T’ at the Great Hall of the Goderich campus, at which ceremony the Acting Principal of the college, Dr Philip John Kanu asserted in his inaugural speech that the college has all what it takes to be upgraded to a university status.
He quoted the Chief Minister, Professor David Francis, as stating two weeks ago that government is seriously considering transforming MMCE&T into a university for which he has sent a team to inspect the college. He revealed that government has also pledged to provide between $12-15 million of the BADEA project for the reconstruction of the college. The reconstruction exercise would include staff quarters, a conference hall. He appealed to all to use their individual contacts to make the college great again.
Dilating on the purpose, objective and scope of the event and the five levels of leadership, the Acting Principal asserted that MMCE&T has the infrastructure, curriculum, funding and manpower to be transformed into a university after over 50 years of producing quality teachers for primary, secondary and even colleges. He underscored that the Academic and Management Boards and the College Council have all approved the university status for which the college would soon send its application to the Tertiary Education Commission. He however admonished staff to upgrade themselves for the transformation, adding that the college is in need of research assistants.
The Acting Principal said although government is funding the college, staff should write projects to generate funds to sustain the college and change the narrative. He highlighted the need for the college to link with other higher institutions of learning worldwide.
He advised staff, administration and students to stop the internal fighting as there are external factors militating against the transformation of the college into a university status. He said the college can be upgraded to university status by faculties as MMCE&T is well-grounded in education and technical/vocational education, while the other faculties can be phased out over a five year period.
He further articulated that staff is the engine of the college, adding that since his appointment his burning desire has been to turnaround the college. He asserted that he cannot do so without the unflinching support and cooperation of staff. The Acting principal recalled that the college was established to train teachers but has been transformed to various levels over the years.
Dr Philip John Kanu also articulated that the college has contributed immensely to nation building, by producing illustrious people.
The Acting Principal disclosed his three pillars to transform the institution, which are the massive rehabilitation of hotels, installation of water tanks for the toilets and solar lights and renovation of the library at the Goderich campus. However he warned saboteurs to stop destroying the cables as he is determined to make the campus habitable for staff and students.
“Pillar two is the quality of our products. We are reviewing the curriculum. Lecturers must support other departments. We have 16 PhD holders in this college. We are moving in the right direction. The third pillar is to transform the college to a university status. We will continue fighting for this until we succeed. However, if people continue to undermine my administration we will not succeed,” the Acting Principal revealed.
He appealed to staff to have frank discussions with him about the development of the college, one of the reasons for holding regular management meetings. It was further disclosed that all former principals of the college are not old students.
According to the Acting Principal, one does not need to be the Head of Department to perform. He stressed that lecturers can still influence students if they teach and treat them like their own children. He intimated that he is strong in advocacy, knows how to lobby at the highest level and that sometimes he works till midnight all in an effort to advance the college. He vowed to reclaim the college’s land from squatters and fence the Brookfields and Congo Cross campuses.
He also informed that Dr Victor Kabia is the new Chairman of the College Council. He said that Dr Victor Kabia is a team player and that human resource development is key to make light work while integrity is the highest point.
Mr. Emmanuel Gaima, the facilitator, stated that lecturers should start thinking of upgrading themselves to align with the new university status. He added that now is the time for change. He said lecturers should have a blank mind in everything; they should think about their roles and outputs, that a university is for academic excellence and urged staff to make PowerPoint presentations and ask students to email their assignments and other academic work that is now the norm.
Earlier, the Vice Principal of the college, Dr M.A. Jalloh, observed that the program is a novelty, adding that “this is the first time in the history of the college for an old student to be appointed principal,” who is working relentlessly to restore the college’s past glory. He recalled that MMCE&T used to occupy an enviable position for academic excellence.
According to the Vice Principal, great leaders have vision that is translated into action and appealed to lecturers and staff to buy the vision of Dr Kanu for the advancement of the institution.
Highlights of the event were academic updates per faculty, administrative updates, students welfare, general discussion, take away points of the day’s proceedings, action points and adjournment.
The ceremony was moderated by the Registrar, Sherifu Bangura.