Unimak's International Conference

My stay improved this month because of the cooler weather. There are only two seasons in Sierra Leone, Dry and Rainy. During the rainy season, practically every night it rains heavily. There has been many storms with lightning and thunder which are beautiful to watch during dusk. One night lightning struck the guest house a couple of weeks ago, which shorted the electrical fuses. It is a big inconvenience, but no one was hurt.  The mere thought of experiencing dry season again is not pleasant.

On another note, I was tasked to develop two curricula in Biomedical engineering. I have, with the assistance of a higher education institute in Nepal (which I hope to initiate a partnership with) and another colleague a proposed two drafts. The goal is to meet with additional stakeholders to review and amend the curriculum in order to forward it for accreditation to the Ministry of Higher Education.  Hopefully the formal review committee will be established by mid-September. Looking forward to the initial thoughts and discussions we will have around the drafts. I also assisted with three other curriculum, that have already been submitted for accreditation. I will keep you posted as to which graduate programs were approved. 

During this writing, panel, and final examination grading, I also was a member of the steering conference committee for the planning and preparation for Unimak hosting its first international conference. It was an expensive adventure with minimal funding, so fundraising was a big part of preparing for it. However, we were able to make do and it occurred, with a few technical hiccups, but now they will be better prepared for the next one. It was a three-day event with attendees from eight or more different countries.

By for now.

Nancy

August Was A Blur of Activity

The month of August has been a blur.

The students took their final exams and many did well. They were very worried, which took me aback as they are graduate students. Throughout the semester, I was intentional with explaining and demonstrating my expectations and some met the challenge.  I do hope they continue with improving their writing and develop a love for reading.

I enjoy participating on Defense Panels. I have had the opportunity to participate on many Master Thesis and Doctoral Dissertation defenses. It also has offered me the opportunity of learning the existing challenges in Sierra Leone and West Africa, as well as meet and interact with members from academia in several content areas.

The Department of Public Health held a summer bridge program in collaboration with Bologna University. I was invited to participate on the launch of the program. It was the first summer bridge project for three diploma programs. I felt honored to participate and address the students. I wish them much success on their education and aspiring careers.  I have attached a few pictures of the event with the Italian professors and the campus Provost sitting at my left. I look forward to meeting with the students toward the end of the program and discuss their learning.

 

Bye for now.

Nancy

July Updates

The good thing so far about July is the weather is cooling off. The rainy season is settling in allowing for cooler days and nights.

Unfortunately for me, there has been a water shortage. So having running water has not been consistent at all.  Actually, I had two full weeks without running water, but with the assistance of members on the compound they fetched water for me so that I could do the basics. The blessing is the other Lay Mission-Helper who is in Sierra Leone. Kathy, is a nurse that is commissioned to Holy Spirit Hospital and resides only about a 7-minute drive away from me. She has allowed me to stay at her cottage during the weekend so that I can have access to running water and electricity. If it wasn't for her kindness, I was truly reevaluating my decision.

I am still in Sierra Leone.  This week I have had running water every morning and am thankful for this. Also, on another note, I have had communications with members of the Management Team at St. Ignatius University in Uganda. It was a pleasure hearing from them. They requested, while I am in the continent that I visit. If I can during the holidays, I will share the visit with you all.

Now the semester is over, the students are preparing for their final exams. I am assisting with the preparation of the 3rd WAAQAN International Conference that will be held at the University of Makeni. This is allowing me to make more connections within the university as well as with other higher education institutes and partnerships. I do hope that it is a success for West Africa and Sierra Leone. The submission of abstracts is over, but sections of the event will be held online. I am sharing the flyer. The abstract submission was extended to July 15th. Please feel free to register and join virtually.

 

Bye for now,

Nancy 

World Bank Consultations

The month of June was a difficult month for me. Still adapting to the extreme heat, while surviving two weeks without electricity at the end of May. June began on a positive note as I was looking forward to a long weekend mid-June to explore Freetown and Lungi. The first two weeks there was electricity and daily running water. Yeah!

The first two weeks were busy preparing for lectures and engaging in futuristic endeavors.  We had visitors from the World Bank to examine and explore how they may help us and Sierra Leone with job creation, especially for the young graduates.  The visit concluded with rich discussions on plans to expand the academic programs by launching a Biomedical Engineering Equipment Technician program and a Biomedical Engineering program with the hopes of receiving accreditation in 2027.

My contribution to the conversation was to encourage foreign companies who make health and medical equipment to establish at least two manufacturing warehouses in Sierra Leone which would require an agreement to hire staff from Sierra Leone. Also to donate old or expired equipment to the university for the programs labs. This partnership would provide job opportunities, provide training opportunities, and most importantly significantly improve the lives of Sierra Leone with regards to health care. It also included discussions with entrepreneurship ideas, waste management, and securing faculty to lecture in the additional programs that will be launched in the upcoming year(s). I have attached a few pictures from the meeting as well as the announcement.

 

The World Bank concludes consultation with UNIMAK Staff

The World Bank Sierra Leone Country Team, led by Country Manager Abdu Muwonge, concludes consultations with University of Makeni (UNIMAK) staff on June 11, 2026,  for the upcoming 2026–2031 Country Partnership Framework (CPF). Held at the UNIMAK Fatima campus, the high-level meeting featured significant contributions from UNIMAK Registrar Foday Augustine Bangura, Director of Academic Affairs Fr. George Gbamanja, and Dean of Commerce and Management Dr. Santigie Kaba, who all offered localized, academic insights on the Country Partnership Framework (CPF), aiming to align the World Bank's upcoming five-year framework specifically on job creation.  In addition, other staff of UNIMAK also made meaningful contributions that focus on job creation across all sectors of development in Sierra Leone. They also discuss UNIMAK's impact on economic growth through the core values of teaching, research, and community engagement.  The WORLD BANK Country Manager, Abdu Muwonge,  praised the UNIMAK staff for their brave inputs on the Country Partnership Framework (CPF).

Hoping that July is a better month.

God Bless,

Nancy

UNIMAK Mass and Projects

Hi All,

It has been a bit challenging with assessing enrollees and instructing them on how to use technological tools. However, they are adapting and learning. I have observed their progress thus far.

There is a quaint Chapel on campus. Mass is held weekly, attached are a couple of pictures of students and staff after service. In addition, I attend weekly Sunday mass with another LMH missionary, Nurse Kathy. We tend to have Sunday brunch at one of the local restaurants. Sometimes a local, Sheku, a graduate of UniMak joins us and shows us around town. I have attached a few pictures as well.

The other three projects assigned to me are going at a slower pace due to the team members’ busy schedules, which will change by the end of the month. We will establish the workplan for the BME curriculum this week. The workshop session on Quality Assurance has been pushed back to end of summer for faculty and hopefully for the QA team in July and August for training. I look forward to being fully engaged with set action items soon.

Stay tuned for more information on the international conferences.

Bye for now.

Nancy

  

Education Programming

At times the heat is still unbearable, but I am beginning to become acclimated to it.

I am discovering more about the education programming and am looking forward to visit different schools within the district. This will provide me with a better context to develop and improve curriculum that is requested of me.

The culture within the university is diverse through the many university partnerships throughout the world. Where staff and students participate in exchange programs and virtual classrooms. UniMak has made many strives over the years to provide continuous and sustainable development in education.

I was able to attend Mass on campus at the Chapel which is held weekly. I have attached a group picture with the celebrant Fr. Gabriel, staff, and students.

Nancy in center of back row

May God bless you.

Nancy

Productive Week

Hi Again!

This week was better! Still sweating but less, power every night, and I am adjusting to a schedule. Yeah!

My direct supervisor is the Deputy Director of Academic Affairs. He is over the Post Graduate Division of the University. I do not know how he does it all because he is also an attorney for the Diocese, and lectures 3 courses.  As Senior Academic Officer, I think my initial matrix of responsibilities will evolve. 

I lectured the first class of one of the courses that I have been asked to teach, Principles of Educational Administration and Management. The students vary in experience, age, and future aspirations which makes for rich discussions. I did enjoy this first session. The other course that I will lecture is Social Psychology. We did not meet because it was a national holiday, Workers Day (equivalent to Labor Day).

I had the opportunity to briefly sit with the coordinator over the public health programs. We will be collaborating over the curriculum development to establish three new programs for accreditation to form a department. I look forward to our next meeting for planning. I am also a Dissertation Advisor, so I met with the Doctoral candidate to review his proposal.

Workers Day was nice. I met more staff during the morning activities. We participated in a Walk (which was more like a fast walk and light jog). The walk ended in a field, where we participated in a variety of exercises. I have attached some pictures and video. I enjoyed the exercise, which I miss.

All in all it was a productive week.  Next week I will be meeting with the Quality Assurance Office team. I was tasked to provide oversight and professional development to assist their progress for proper implementation as they are a younger less experienced staff.  In the USA, the office is usually called the Compliance Office but in the EU, UK, and most of Asia it is called the Quality Assurance office.

Well bye for now.

Nancy