Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. The Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE) has held a courtesy meeting with representatives from the British High Commission to review ongoing collaboration and explore new areas of partnership in line with government priorities.
The development Director of the British High Commission, Alexandra Maclean, welcomed the opportunity for dialogue, describing the meeting as both an introduction and a strategic check-in as the UK reviews its global development approach. She reaffirmed that development cooperation remains a key pillar of the UK–Sierra Leone partnership.
She said the UK is seeking to build what she described as a modern, mature partnership grounded in mutual accountability and shared expertise. In Sierra Leone, this includes a continued focus on private sector investment, macroeconomic stability, and public financial reform, alongside support for human development sectors such as education and health.
Responding, the Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Haja Ramatulai Wurie, expressed appreciation for the UK’s continued engagement, particularly through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), which has supported the Ministry’s work in science, technology and innovation, including implementation of the National Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy, the Open Science Policy, and the Sierra Leone Research and Education Network (SLREN).
The Minister outlined several priority areas for collaboration. Central among them is the need for institutional diagnostics across higher education institutions to assess governance systems, financial management, and overall performance. She said such an assessment would inform reforms, strengthen accountability, and help align universities with national development goals.
Minister Wurie also highlighted plans to expand the traditional role of universities beyond teaching, research, and community service to include innovation and industrialisation. She said institutions must begin thinking about commercialising research outputs, generating income, and contributing directly to job creation and economic growth.
Both sides agreed on the importance of continued technical discussions to refine areas of cooperation. The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to deepen collaboration in ways that strengthen Sierra Leone’s higher education system while reflecting the UK’s evolving development framework.
For More News And Analysis About Sierra-Leone Follow Africa-Press
