Njala University
Njala University (or simply Njala, as it is fondly called) has had a rich history since its establishment in 1964 as a university college based on the model of the American Land Grant University. Since then it has metamorphosed into one of the leading universities in the country, preparing undergraduate and postgraduate students for careers in a wide variety of specializations including Education, Agricultural Research and Extension, Agricultural Engineering, Environmental and Community Health Sciences, Social Sciences and Law, Natural Resources Management and in Information Technology, among others. With the passing of the Universities Act 2005, Njala became an autonomous university with two campuses - the Njala Campus at Njala in the Moyamba District and the Bo Campus in the Bo District. It also operates locations in Freetown at Henry Street and the British Council (where the liaison office is currently located). During the ten-year rebel war, what was then Njala University College was displaced following massive destruction of the physical infrastructure and learning resources. The college operated in Freetown for close to a decade i.e. 1996-2005.
Njala University comprises 8 academic units called Schools/Faculties: School of Agriculture, School of Education, School of Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Resources Management, School of Technology, School of Social Sciences and Law, School of Community Health Sciences, School of Postgraduate Studies.
Njala University operates under the Universities Act of 2005. The University Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations are drawn from this enabling legislation. The highest University authority and its governing body is the University Court. Senate is the highest academic body in the University. The Chancellor of the University is His Excellency the President of the Republic, often represented by the Pro-Chancellor who serves as Chairman of Court.
The executive and day-to-day management of the university is the responsibility of the University Secretariat headed by the Vice-Chancellor and Principal and which includes the Registrar, the Finance Director, the Director of Physical and Plant Services, the Director of Planning, the Director of Information & Communication, the Director of Research and Development, the Procurement Officer and the Internal Auditor. Each campus has a Deputy Vice Chancellor who, subject to the control and direction of the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, serves as the Chief Academic, Administrative and Accounting Officer of the campus. Deans and Heads of Academic Departments provide academic leadership.