By: Precious Miracle Kargbo Snr
Deputy Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Sarjoh Aziz-Kamara, has described locally driven digital innovation as critical to improving quality, efficiency, and global competitiveness in Sierra Leone’s higher education sector, as the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM) unveiled a new all-in-one mobile and web platform designed to streamline academic services.
Speaking at the launch of IPAM’s digital hub on Friday, Aziz-Kamara said the platform, branded “Your Academic Journey, All in One Place,” reflects the evolving role of higher education institutions beyond teaching, research, and community service to include innovation and industrialization.
“What we are experiencing here is a march towards the domain of innovation and industrialization. The traditional role of universities is changing, and I am pleased to note that IPAM is moving rapidly in that direction,” the Deputy Minister told students, staff, and university administrators gathered for the launch.
Aziz-Kamara commended the leadership of IPAM and the wider University administration for embracing technology to enhance institutional effectiveness, improve service delivery, and enrich the overall student experience. He noted that the comprehensive digital platform demonstrates visionary leadership and a deliberate commitment to leveraging technology to strengthen higher education delivery.
The Deputy Minister placed particular emphasis on the fact that the application was developed locally by Sierra Leonean professionals.
“What is most impressive about the app we are launching today is that it is homegrown, localized, and a truly local solution. It showcases the talent and expertise we have within our country,” he said.
He added that the initiative aligns closely with the Ministry’s vision of advancing digital transformation across Sierra Leone’s higher education system. According to Aziz-Kamara, digitalization has become a key driver of quality, flexibility, efficiency, and international competitiveness as institutions prepare students for the demands of a rapidly evolving global workforce.
“We want our students to compete globally,” he stated, urging universities and colleges to continue embracing emerging technologies and innovative approaches to teaching, learning, and assessment.
The Deputy Minister also highlighted recent reforms within the sector, including the introduction of online assessments and the growing use of artificial intelligence tools to safeguard academic integrity. He said these developments demonstrate the sector’s increasing commitment to innovation and modernization.
The newly launched IPAM platform is expected to centralize essential academic services, including student registration, course information, examination results, class timetables, and institutional communication. University officials believe the system will significantly reduce bureaucratic delays, improve efficiency, and provide students with faster access to academic support and information.
According to university administrators, the rollout marks an important step toward creating a more responsive, technology-driven learning environment that meets the needs of modern students.
As Sierra Leone continues efforts to modernize its education sector, Aziz-Kamara’s remarks underscore the Government’s support for homegrown technological solutions capable of reducing reliance on foreign systems while empowering local innovators and preparing graduates to compete successfully on the global stage.
With digital transformation accelerating across higher education institutions, IPAM’s latest initiative is being viewed as a benchmark for innovation that other institutions may seek to emulate as the sector embraces a new era of technological advancement.