Over 900 distance learners of Njala University from across five districts have on Saturday 15th August 2020 concluded their 2019-2020 matriculation exercise. The five districts are: Bo, Bonthe, Moyamba, Pujehun, and Kono. The matriculation ceremony marks the official welcoming of the distance learners to the university. The ceremony took place at all five district centres aided by coordinators who ensured the ceremonies were successful in their respective locales.
Welcoming the matriculants, the Dean, School of Education, Professor Adlyn Johnson, said despite their designation as distance learners, they must make extra effort in their academic work, adding all university protocols remain the same. Professor Johnson said the university celebrates and promotes excellence with good moral behaviour, and informed them that they are expected to report their concerns to the appropriate university authority following the channel of complaint.
The Dean ended by encouraging tutors to give their best when discharging their duties, as university authorities seek the assistance of government and humanitarian organisations to support the programme. She stressed when this is achieved most of the university’s challenges will be addressed. Matriculant Ibrahim Kamara said he looks forward to all the good things the university has to offer and sound lectures and notes from his tutors, and promised to invest his time in his academic work to make both the university and his family proud of him.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor for Bo Campus, Professor Mohamed Syed Fofanah, welcomed matriculants saying choosing Njala University is the greatest choice they have ever made. He made it clear that the university encourages registered clubs and associations approved by the university to operate on campus including religious and high moral social groups among others.
He disclosed that government and the university are keen on decentralising education to the furthest reaches of the country, adding that the Acting Vice Chancellor and Principal, Professor Osman Sankoh, is also eager to take the university to the doorsteps of Sierra Leoneans. Professor Fofanah ended his speech imploring matriculants never to make the mistake of calling a dolphin, porpoise, or even a whale a fish, which error happens because “when we think of fish we think, ‘lives in water’ and ‘swims.’ but dolphins, porpoises and whales are mammals”.
By Sulaiman Karim Sesay