Conclusion and Recommendations QA in Sierra Leone, while it exists in limited forms, still needs to be made a much more effective and comprehensive process and practice. In order to improve internal and external QA processes, the following are recommended: For EQA agencies Review decade-old laws governing the functions of EQA agencies. New laws should take into consideration the new context surrounding higher education and the increased complexities of the system - new providers of higher education and new delivery mechanisms. The laws should also clarify the functions of various external agencies and specify relationships between them. Improve the organizational, human, and financial capacity of EQA agencies to allow them to better perform their functions. In addition, the functions of the EQA agencies should be kept relatively simple in the beginning and extended over time. EQA agencies should provide the public with information on performance of HTEIs in a systematic and coordinated manner. One of the most important service that the TEC could provide is to work with HTEIs to establish a set of indicators, definitions, with templates for data collection, which HTEIs would be expected to report on annually (or as agreed). That information would then be made publicly available. Make performance contracts publicly available. Involve external stakeholders (institutions, employers, civil society) in EQA processes. More opportunities need to be provided for employers and other external stakeholders (such as alumni and professional associations) to provide feedback on quality of higher education in a systematic way. For HEIs Develop an overall QA policy with a central unit in charge of its monitoring and evaluation. The establishment of this unit should be a part of a broader review of the governance and management of HTEIs. Conduct annual internal QA audits based on agreed procedures, which will be submitted to the TEC. Taking action on internal QA audit report will need to be part of performance appraisals for institutional heads and staff. Institutionalize initiatives to improve teaching quality by providing standard tools for evaluation and using the feedback to help improve teaching, and eventually to study their effectiveness. Involve external stakeholders and students in QA processes in a more structured and comprehensive way. Provide and publish pertinent information on enrollment, finances, course offerings, learning objectives, and student performance and other indicators as agreed with TEC. Take swift and decisive action against lecturers and students who are involved in any type of exam malpractice.
G: Table G.1 Mission and Vision Statements of Selected HTEIs HTEI Vision Mission Objective/Goals (selected) Njala University (Source: Njala University Charter) To be a world-class institution in learning, scholarship and community service; defined by high quality of our academic programmes and the quality and strategic focus of our teaching and research; contributing to the personal advancement and success of the individual, our nation, and beyond To provide quality education, producing graduates with desirable attitudes, skills and knowledge through the advancement, development and dissemination of knowledge, the promotion of scholarship and community service To match university graduate output with national manpower needs To foster partnership between the university and the private sector To become a major driver in the development of Sierra Leone and beyond, through the exploitation of the university’s research and intellectual capital Eastern Polytechnic (Source: Prospectus 2011/12) To provide leadership in community based educational innovations and be a most effective instrument of change and development in both the individual and the community leading to a positive influence on society. To maintain excellence; provide the essential services for our community and the nation and serve as an industry for quality human resource development as we train technicians and polyvalent educators molding them in the best moral and spiritual traditions of the founding fathers of this institution. USL (Source: IPAM Annual Report) Commitment to providing the best higher education possible that emphasizes quality academic programs that are responsive to the critical emerging needs of Sierra Leone, paying particular attention to the tripartite mission of instruction, research, and To provide the highest quality instruction in a variety of academic disciplines, through the curricular offerings of the three constituent colleges that reflects the national development agenda of Sierra Leone. It is predicated on the realization that the University of Sierra Leone will continue to maintain
public service. and enhance excellence in all its endeavors so that the graduates it produces can be globally competitive in the job market. Milton Margai College of Education and Technology (Source: Prospectus 2010/11) To provide opportunity for young school graduates to study a wide range of courses: academic and non-academic at a variety of levels To provide courses in technical studies and skills to provide courses that will enhance skills development and provide knowledge to students for the middle manpower development of Sierra Leone Institute for Advanced Management & Technology (Source: Prospectus) To produce corporate professionals through and distance education using information technology. To provide quality the highest quality instruction in various professional disciplines, that our graduates will compete in the job market locally and internationally. To enable Sierra Leone achieve basic education for the majority of its population, and simultaneously provide the youth a work-oriented and meaning education. To also serve the community by providing the educational training necessary to prepare for positions in business, industry, government entrepreneurship, and to establish motivation for career advancement and job enrichment. University of Makeni (Source: University Website) For Sierra Leone to become a civilization of love where peace and social justice for all transcend tribal and political divides, where every citizen has equal access to education to enable them to fulfill their potential. Informed by Catholic Social Teaching, to promote human, social, political and economic development in Sierra Leone and Africa as a whole, which at the same time respects the environment so that its resources are used for the benefit of all. To develop, promote and implement a common ethical vision and praxis for all dimensions of development in Africa in support of the Millennium Development Goals.
Engineering & Technology Civil B HD,D Mechanical & Maintenance B Electrical & Electronics B HD,D Automobile Engineering HD,D Marine Engineering HD,D Post-Harvest Technology M Soil and Water Engineering M Agricultural Engineering B Architecture HD,D Computer Science/Studies B HD,D B Electronics & Telecom B B Networking B Business Information Technology B B Computer Hardware and Electronic Systems HD,D HD Data Processing and Information Technologies HD,D HD Energy Studies B Industrial Arts HD Farm Mechanization HD Land and Water Mgmt. HD Arts & Humanities Philosophy B Mass Communication B,D,C B Library Science B,D Cultural Studies D Theology B, D D English B Linguistics B NVC