AFRICAN UNIVERSITY DAY CELEBRATIONS, 2002

UNIVERSITY OF SIERRA LEONE, FREETOWN

THEME:AFRICAN UNIVERSITIES RESPONSE TO CURRENT EMERGING ISSUES IN AFRICA

The celebrations were spread over a one-week period.

The following activities were arranged and took place as indicated:

1. Saturday, 9^th November 2002.

Peace and Reconciliation Run: - from the Heliport at Aberdeen to the National Stadium Main Bowl.

This event involved students from all the constituent Colleges of the University together with students from other tertiary institutions as well as from several Secondary Schools in the Freetown Area.

Various categories of prizes were distributed by the Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. Dennis Bright, as well as University and Education officials.

2. Monday, 11^th November 2002.

University of Sierra Leone/British Council

Quiz Competition between students.

Group A - Fourah Bay College and College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences at 4:00 p.m. at the British Council, Tower Hill

Winner: - College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences Students

3. Tuesday, 12^th November, 2002.

7:30 AM. Radio/TV Broadcast by the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Sierra Leone, Dr. Sandy Bockarie, on the theme of this year's Celebrations.

(i) University of Sierra Leone/British Council

Quiz Competition, Group B - Njala University College and Institute of Public Administration and Management students, at 4:00 p.m. at the British Council Tower Hill.

Winner - Institute of Public Administration and Management Students.

4. Wednesday, 13^th November 2002.

Panel Discussion of the theme of this year's celebration at 4:00 p.m.

at the British Council.

Themes and Presenters:

(ii) Response to challenges of HIV/AIDS Pandemic -

Prof. Sidi T. O. Alghali, Director, Aids Control Secretariat Freetown, Sierra Leone.

(iii) Conflict Resolution and Management -

Mr. Desmond George-Williams, Lecturer in Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Sierra Leone.

(iv) African Higher Education Institutions: -

Responding to the Challenges of Gender Equity;

- Mrs. Marian Kamara, member of the Court of the University of Sierra Leone and Retired Diplomat.

(v) Responding to the Challenges of Access to Higher Education Institutions in Africa;

- Mr. William A. Taylor, Director-General (Education); Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

The presentations by the panelists were followed by lively contributions from the audience followed by further responses from the panelists. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Nat. S. B. Wellington, Director, Institute of Public Administration and Management, University of Sierra Leone.

5. Thursday, 14^th November 2002.

Final USL/British Council Quiz Competition at the British Council at 4:00 p.m. between the Winner of Group A (College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences) and Winner of Group B (Institute of Public Administration and Management).

This was a very lively and closely-contested quiz competition, with the eventual winners - College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, scoring 25 points and Institute of Public Administration and Management, Scoring 24 points.

A winner's cup and several sets of Book Prizes, donated by the British Council were distributed to the Winners as well as to the various competing teams.

The question master in all the quiz competitions was Mr. R. Bendre, Director of the British Council, Freetown, Sierra Leone.

The Quiz Competition was very popular and the hall was always full to capacity with students from the various Colleges cheering on their teams when right answers were given.

ERNEST H WRIGHT

Vice-Chancellor, USL