By: Audrey Raymonda John
The Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE) has met with a visiting delegation from the Anhui Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) to discuss deeper cooperation between Sierra Leone and China, particularly in higher education, technology, and skills development.
The visit was led by Zheng Hong, Vice Chairperson of the Anhui CPPCC, who explained that the delegation was in Sierra Leone to deepen ties and explore new opportunities for collaboration. He highlighted Anhui’s economic and technological strengths, including its strong research culture, broad network of universities, and fast-growing industries such as new energy vehicles and artificial intelligence. He also noted the province’s advanced transport systems and renowned tourism destinations.
Zheng emphasized that Anhui already maintains partnerships across several countries and hosts a wide range of international companies, with many of its firms operating abroad. He added that the delegation would spend an extra day in Sierra Leone to identify potential areas for collaboration and determine where they could provide meaningful support.
Welcoming the delegation, Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, Minister of Technical and Higher Education, praised China’s decades-long support to Sierra Leone through scholarships, training, and institutional partnerships. She referenced ongoing cooperation, including a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the China University of Geosciences in Wuhan.
Dr. Wurie noted that advancing technology and innovation aligns with President Julius Maada Bio’s national priorities. She explained that the Ministry is seeking Chinese support for university digitalization, smart classrooms, joint research programs, staff and student exchanges, and broader innovation initiatives.
The meeting concluded with both sides expressing strong interest in expanding cooperation in education, research, and emerging technologies.