By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
The Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) in partnership with UNICEF has established a new Digital Learning Hub (DLH) at Fourah Bay College (FBC) that is expected to increase students’ knowledge in Information, Communication and Technology (ICTs).
The hub was launched at the New Multi-purpose building at Fourah Bay College on the 7th November, 2022.
In his statement, the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education who is also Chief Innovation Officer (CIO), Dr. David Moinina Sengeh said the Ecosystem that exists in Sierra Leone is that of entrepreneurship and innovation. He stated that young people from Sierra Leone have represented the country in global competitions and excelled.
“It is not surprising seeing Sierra Leoneans to be part of such events and emerging victorious. It is not unconnected to the tremendous work they have been doing back home through the help of DSTI,” he said.
He stated that the university needs a lot of resources to carry out its work and urged students to make good use of the new established hub at FBC which he said other institutions are already enjoying.
Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC) of FBC, Professor Kelleh Gbawuru-Mansaray, in his statement pointed out that they will ensure the hub employs digital collaborative learning as part of the college’s effort to develop future innovative programmes.
“One of the college’s key focus areas is to develop and employ graduates that will fit the purpose,” he said.
He noted that for DSTI to approve the establishment of the hub at the FBC was a clear manifestation that they are interested in training graduates that are technologically fit.
He expressed delight that DSTI has finally decide to work with FBC, noting that they have been working with Njala University and other institutions.
Professor Gbawuru-Mansaray used the occasion to disclose to DSTI officials that FBC students at the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture are designing and building drones using local and foreign materials.
In her keynote address, the Coding Head of Orange Digital Centre, Priscilla Okechukwu noted that the advent of COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of technology to everyday life. She said, technology inculcates the way people learn and work which she said has made it imperative to adapt to the demands of the new age.
She likened digital divide to that of a 45 year- old woman who could not get a job because she does not know how to use computer and also that of a young child who could not do his homework because he has no access to information.
“Digital divide could also be when an immigrant could not reach out his family because he does not know how to use free data or communication platforms,” she said.
Okechukwu reiterated that internet should not be a luxury, but a right that gives the basic social necessity of the 21st century. She said the internet allows everyone to connect to the world, and that it creates social participation and act as a tool for change.
She explained how nnovative hubs are springing up the digital space in Sierra Leone, noting that they are working tirelessly to bridge the digital divide and raise entrepreneurs.
“This is the only way to ensure sustainability in the education and Technology ecosystem,” she stated.
Vice Chancellor and Principal of the University of Sierra Leone, Professor Foday Sahr reaffirmed that the initiative to venture online education underscored extreme significance in learning. He said the outbreak of Ebola in 2014 and most recently COVID-19 deeply impacted on the delivery of teaching. He recalled how the nation struggled a lot during those periods, due to the fact that the foundation had not been laid for any suitable online learning.
He said the university has an online teaching and learning system since 2019, that has gained serious attention from the administration in the past months which he said necessitated the setting up of an E- learning directorate.
Prof. Sahr pointed out that the university has invested a lot in the portal that is supposed to create a platform for lecturers to conduct classes and give assignments. He said it can also be used to publish students’ grades on the platform and not on notice board, but said the lecturers were just refusing to do that.
The launch of the hub at FBC is in line with the aim to provide a platform where digital learning with the required infrastructures can ease the imparting of knowledge.
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