Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, British High Commission Strengthen Development Partnership

A courtesy meeting between the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE) and representatives of the British High Commission has reaffirmed mutual commitments to advancing Sierra Leone’s human capital development agenda. Talks focused on reviewing ongoing collaboration and identifying new partnership opportunities aligned with national priorities.

Senior officials from both institutions convened at the Ministry’s headquarters in Freetown. Delegates included MTHE’s Permanent Secretary Mohamed Sheick Kargbo, Chief Technical and Higher Education Officer Dr. Josephus Brimah, Deputy Chief Technical and Higher Education Officer Sia Fasuluku, Director of Higher Education Emmanuel J. Momoh Esq., Student Secretary George A. Dambo, and Minister Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie. Representing the British High Commission were Development Director Alexandra Maclean and Education Adviser Kate Jefferies.

Opening the session, Deputy Chief Technical and Higher Education Officer Sia Fasuluku underscored the timeliness of the dialogue at the start of a new year. She stressed the importance of ensuring that international support evolves in tandem with Sierra Leone’s shifting development landscape. Acknowledging the UK’s longstanding partnership, she noted the need to address persistent gaps and recalibrate strategies in response to global trends.

Fasuluku reaffirmed that MTHE’s strategic direction is firmly rooted in the Government’s “Big Five” national agenda. Institutional plans and performance contracts, she explained, are deliberately aligned with these objectives, and all partnerships must reflect this alignment.

British High Commission Development Director Alexandra Maclean welcomed the engagement as both an introductory dialogue and a strategic review. She described the timing as critical, given ongoing adjustments to the UK’s global development framework. Maclean emphasised that development cooperation remains a central pillar of UK-Sierra Leone relations and articulated a vision for what she termed a “modern, mature partnership” one grounded in mutual accountability and shared expertise.

Current UK support in Sierra Leone focuses on private sector development, macroeconomic stability, public financial management reform, and continued investment in human development sectors, including education and health.

Responding, Minister Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie expressed gratitude for the UK’s sustained engagement, particularly through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). She acknowledged FCDO’s contributions to advancing science, technology, and innovation including support for the National Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy, the Open Science Policy, and the Sierra Leone Research and Education Network (SLREN).

Dr. Wurie outlined several priority areas for deepened collaboration. Chief among these is the need for comprehensive institutional diagnostics across tertiary education institutions. Such assessments would evaluate governance structures, financial management systems, and operational performance — providing a foundation for targeted reforms and strengthened accountability.

She also called for an expanded mandate for universities beyond traditional roles of teaching, research, and community service. Institutions must embrace innovation and industrialisation, Dr. Wurie argued, by commercialising research outputs, generating internal revenue, and directly contributing to job creation and economic growth.

Drawing from personal academic experience, the Minister highlighted a critical structural gap: many researchers are burdened with administrative and financial duties due to limited institutional capacity. Establishing a dedicated support structure would professionalise research administration, enhance compliance, and improve access to international funding.

Dr. Wurie raised urgent concerns about the attrition of highly trained academics, describing the trend as a “brain haemorrhage” that weakens national capacity. Sustainable systems and improved research environments, she insisted, are essential for retaining skilled professionals.

On financing reforms, the Minister announced progress on a digital payment platform developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation. The system will enable students to pay tuition and fees online, improving transparency and ensuring funds are ring-fenced for specific purposes, including research, ICT upgrades, and infrastructure maintenance.

Both parties agreed to continue technical-level discussions to refine areas of cooperation. The meeting closed with a shared commitment to advancing a higher education system that responds to national development needs while aligning with the UK’s evolving development framework.

Correspondent-Richard Williams

Ministry of Technical and Higher Education

Tel: +232 03086143