By Joseph Momoh, Daily Scope
At the conclusion of the 11th Annual Conference and 13th Annual General Meeting of the Association of West Africa Universities (AWAU) held on February 19, 2026, Vice President of Sierra Leone, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, emphasized the pivotal role universities play in regional integration and innovation.
Addressing a gathering of professors, policymakers, and scholars from across West Africa at the Foreign Academy, VP Jalloh framed the conference theme—“Bridging Innovation with Quality Assurance in West Africa”—within the larger context of regional unity. He recalled that universities once symbolized hope and progress, especially prior to political independence.
Reflecting on the historical significance of West African universities during the 1960s and 1970s, the Vice President noted their status as vibrant centers of research and intellectual excellence. However, he lamented that as governance systems faltered in the subsequent decades, so too did financial support for universities. This decline led to a focus on teaching over research, yet he commended the tenacity of academics who continued to inspire scholarship despite these challenges.
“The university survived,” he asserted, crediting individual professors for maintaining academic excellence during tough times, often bolstered by support from international foundations. He underscored the importance of universities as organized spaces for critical thought and democratic discourse.
Looking ahead, the Vice President urged AWAU to act as a driver of “regional integration from below.” He called for the harmonization of curricula, standardization of educational quality, and the creation of collaborative research networks to address the shared challenges facing West Africa.
As global development funding diminishes and democratic pressures mount in some areas, he stressed that innovation and regional cooperation are imperative. He left participants with a powerful reminder: “The university of tomorrow must be established now.”
Dr. Haja Ranatulua Wurrie, the Minister of Technical and Higher Education, commended the Vice President for his steadfast support of higher education in Sierra Leone. She noted that under President Julius Maada Bio’s leadership, education has been prioritized, highlighted by the flagship free education program from 2018 to 2023 and ongoing initiatives for 2023 to 2028.
The Minister remarked that the Vice President’s presence at the conference underscores his commitment to advancing education, skills development, and capacity-building within the region. She emphasized the need for platforms promoting knowledge sharing and quality assurance, expressing appreciation for his efforts to raise educational standards and foster collaboration among West African universities.
The conference concluded on an optimistic note, with participants inspired to reposition West African universities as engines for integration, research excellence, and sustainable development.
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