Senior, supporting, and junior staff of the Milton Margai Technical University (MMTU) have held a retreat at the Great Hall of the university’s Goderich campus, in Freetown, to bridge service delivery gaps within the institution.
The retreat was aimed at creating a nexus between the university and staff on various topical issues in the institution, system in line with emerging trends, and global best practices for improved delivery of quality Technical University Education in the country.
The issues discussed, during the retreat, were staff welfare, exams, professional misconduct, research work by the university for fund generation, upgrade of the university and ways on how to compete on the global stage, misinformation to the public, clarification of certain matters bothering the University and above all how to map a way forward as a Technical University to address the emerging issues in the country.
In his statement the Vice Chancellor and Principal of the University, Professor Philip John Kanu, welcomed staff on such short notice. “This is a time for us as a technical university to take a route with fresh possibilities in our work as lecturers, and researchers,” he noted.
He was very affirmed in his statement, encouraged and being frank with the staff in the areas of discipline, upgrade, and academic qualifications.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Philip John Kanu said for the past two to three months, the name of the university had been subjected to mockery on social media which took a different posture to water down the gains and progress the institution was making. He asserted that such a move could affect the institution immensely and even its staff and advised all staff not to trivialize things like that which had the potency to drag the name of the institution into shambles.
He admonished all to show respect to leadership no matter the age and work as one for the betterment of the country.
For a clear understanding of allowances and percentages the Finance Director, Mariama Mansaray, explained in detail what every staff was entitled to based on rank and years of service. She spoke about allowances given to the institution by the government and also what the university was giving to its staff for all categories.
Staff were very much satisfied with the explanations and applauded the Administration for giving them a clear understanding and clearing their misconceptions.
Earlier the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Director of Academic Affairs, Alhaji Dr Mohamed Alie Jalloh, welcomed all staff and commented on the students’ union election which he described as free from violence and thanked the committee for a job well done.