USL installs P.C. Dr. Magrette Darboh as its new Chancellor

The University of Sierra Leone (USL) has installed Paramount Chief Dr. Magrette Darboh as its new Chancellor.

PC. Dr. Margrette Darboh, who happens to be the first female Chancellor to be installed by USL, holds a master's degree in Curriculum Development from the University of Sussex-United Kingdom, as well as a Ph.D. in Education (specializing in Early Childhood Education) from Fourah Bay College (FBC).

As part of her career, she lectured at the then Freetown Teachers' College, which has now become Freetown Polytechnic, and also served as a Lecturer in Early Childcare and Development at (FBC). In his welcome address, USL's Ag. Vice Chancellor & Principal, Prof. Aiah Lebbie, considered the ceremony as a historic one that gives the right of passage to countless generations of students with heads filled with knowledge.

According to him, having Dr. Magrette Darboh installed as Chancellor signifies an unparalleled commitment to excellence, with a view to inspiring young girls of Sierra Leone to dream big.

"I welcome you all to be part of a new experience, the installation of a great educator, a cultural icon of our great nation, a champion of innovation, and a mother to us all," he applauded the new Chancellor.

In installing the new Chancellor and handing the symbol of office over to her, the Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr. Ramatulai Wurie, noted that the Chancellor serves as a symbol of the university's values, traditions and aspirations, adding that it is the Chancellor that inspires and guides the university to foster a culture of excellence and inclusivity.

"With Dr. Magrette Darboh at the helm of USL, I am confident that we will continue to uphold high standards of academic rigor and integrity. But the Chancellor cannot stand alone. It is a collective effort of the entire university community to drive our success," she admonished all present.

She expressed her profound gratitude to Dr. Darboh for accepting the mantle to serve as Chancellor and for dedicating herself to the education sector for all these years.Dr. Ramatulai Wurie also expressed gratitude to the Oversight Committee set up by MTHE that guided them through the period of turbulence with steadfast dedication and unwavering commitment.

"In the wake of the turbulence that necessitated the dissolution of the former University Court, MTHE took decisive actions to address the challenges facing USL by developing a roadmap with clear timelines," she said.

According to the Minister, the first thing they did as a Ministry was to set up an Oversight Committee to navigate them through the period of transition, and under the Committee's guidance, the Ministry has made tremendous strides towards restoring stability to USL.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Oversight Committee for their selfless service and unwavering commitment to USL. Their collective guidance, wisdom and expertise were very instrumental in steering us through that period," she said.

She mentioned that the Oversight Committee also complimented the proactive approach of MTHE in addressing the long-standing issues concerning severance benefits, backlogs and promotions for lecturers across all public universities.

She further stated that the next thing on their roadmap was to reconstitute the University Court, adding that the installation of Dr. Darboh as the new Chancellor means that the Court has been reconstituted.

The final thing on their roadmap, she mentioned, is to set up a search committee to find the substantive Vice Chancellor & Principal for USL.

USL's newly installed Chancellor, Paramount Chief Dr. Magrette Darboh, thanked President Bio and MTHE for their expressions of confidence in her leadership. She also extends her sincere appreciation to the erstwhile Chancellor, Dr. Sampha Koroma, for his exemplary leadership at the university for the last two years.

"I am privileged and humbled by the opportunity to lead our great University. Over 100 years ago, USL carried the accolade 'the Athens of West Africa' and my fervent hope is that my team and I will work assiduously to bring that reputation of excellence once more, whereby we will change our nation for the better," she envisioned.

She assured all present of her readiness to adhere to the contents of the Universities Act of 2021 and also the timeline that the Oversight Committee has slated for the matriculation and congregation activities.

In his vote of thanks, USL's Ag. Registrar, Munda Lebbie, extends his deepest gratitude to all those who contributed to the ceremony's success. He mentioned that the Chancellor's vision inspires them all.

"As you step into this school, we trust in your leadership to guide us towards the future of excellence and growth," he hoped.
He urged all present to uphold the ideals of unity and determination, embrace the opportunities ahead, and carryforward the spirit of hope, collaboration and purpose.