Prof. Samuel E.B Nonie, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM), on Thursday 24th March, 2022 launched IPAM Short Course Brochure. The auspicious event took place at the college conference hall of the Vice Chancellor at IPAM campus, Tower Hill, Freetown.
Speaking before officially launching the Short Course Brochure, Prof. Nonie said IPAM is a constituent college of the University of Sierra Leone with the principal goal of providing both academic education and professional trainings for its clients while enhancing their competitive capacity in the global job market.
Prof. Nonie further said “IPAM is part of the re-engineering efforts of the University of Sierra Leone with a strategy of taking education to the doorsteps of the people of Sierra Leone. This project started with the introduction of academic courses under the Extramural Unit, ten years ago. Today, IPAM is proud to announce that about thirty (30) of our student beneficiaries from the provinces have graduated through this project with first degrees from different courses. Recently, we have decided to take another bold step by taking on the job short courses to the offices of professionals in the provincial districts with a wider coverage namely – Bo, Kabala, Kailahun, Kenema, Kono, Lungi (Port Loko), Makeni and Pujehun.”
He further informed his audience which included academic staff, students and other personalities that IPAM short courses are designed to respond to the critical emerging needs of Sierra Leone workforce, adding that this implies that all staff in any organization be it public or private sector as well as individuals will benefit from the IPAM Short Course Brochure.
He noted that “the Unit remains committed to partnering with our global academic networks and we will continue to engage facilitators with practical and everyday professional experiences while we guarantee value for money at all times.
Earlier, Prof. Nonie apologized to his audience for starting the program a bit late. He used the opportunity to elaborate the reason doe launching the short course brochure and the benefits for clients. He went on to say that though the launch of the short course was his idea, he however thanked all academic staff that contributed to making the IPAM Short Course Brochure a success.
He further elaborated on the fact that the IPAM Short Course Brochure can serve students, private and sector workers as well as individuals wishing to pursue professional training while at their respective workplaces.
Mr. Kanneh, Assistant Coordinator in his brief remarks, informed his audience that before now it was extremely difficult for students to travel down to Freetown for such trainings. He maintained however that with the introduction of these short courses, potential students and workers in the provinces can be rest assured of getting the short courses taken down to them in their respective offices and institutions, rather than having to trek to Freetown.
One of the beneficiaries, Deputy Director Parliamentary Budget, Faiz A. Rahman informed his audience that he is extremely happy that IPAM introduced such courses. He added that felt happy over the way and manner they were taken through the courses in Excel, Public Administration among other subjects, and that the experience was very rewarding and beneficial. They are very happy because the course has created a lot of impact at the unit. He said the leadership of the Parliamentary Budget committee will always call on IPAM when the need arise and that the conduct of the course was very professional and beneficial.
A representative from Immigration, Mr. Bangura called on IPAM to see how they would develop courses relating to migration, migration policies among other courses related to Immigration.
The Manager Training, National Revenue Authority (NRA), Wuzainatu Sesay used the opportunity to knock on the doors of other institutions, asking them to make good use of the IPAM Short Course Unit.
The launch ceremony was well-attended by a galaxy of academia, invited guests, students among others including the Fourth Estate. The event itself was described as very timely and relevant for public administrators, public sector.
