UK–Sierra Leone Higher Education Partnership Gains Momentum in London

A delegation of senior academics from Bath Spa University, comprising Professor John Strachan, Dr. Sheku Fofanah, and Professor Rebecca McGuire-Snieckus, on Tuesday, February 4, 2026, paid a courtesy visit to His Excellency Dr. Morie Komba Manyeh, Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, at the Sierra Leone High Commission in London.

The visit followed a highly successful working mission to Sierra Leone, during which the Bath Spa University scholars engaged extensively with leading higher education institutions and officials of the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education. The mission focused on exploring opportunities for collaboration in research, curriculum development, institutional strengthening, and capacity building within Sierra Leone’s tertiary education sector.

During the courtesy call, discussions centred on the next phase of a proposed multi-disciplinary partnership designed to foster deeper academic cooperation between Sierra Leonean universities and selected UK institutions. The partnership aims to advance research excellence, strengthen teaching and learning outcomes, and support the development of sustainable academic and governance frameworks across higher education institutions in Sierra Leone.

The Bath Spa University delegation highlighted the importance of aligning international academic collaboration with national development priorities, particularly in areas such as education reform, leadership and governance, research capacity development, and innovation in teaching and learning.

Professor John Strachan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise at Bath Spa University, underscored the institution’s commitment to global academic engagement. With extensive expertise in cultural history and global higher education, Prof. Strachan emphasised the value of equitable partnerships that promote shared learning, mutual benefit, and long-term institutional growth.

Dr. Sheku Fofanah, Senior Lecturer in Business and Management at Bath Spa University, drew attention to the role of public sector governance, leadership, and development policy in shaping effective higher education systems. He highlighted opportunities for collaborative research and professional development programmes that support institutional leadership, policy formulation, and public sector reform in Sierra Leone.

Professor Rebecca McGuire-Snieckus, Emeritus Professor in Teaching, Learning and Psychology, brought to the discussion her extensive experience in educational practice, pedagogy, and psychology. She outlined approaches to strengthening teaching quality, learner engagement, and inclusive education through evidence-based practices and cross-institutional collaboration.

Together, the scholars discussed practical mechanisms through which UK and Sierra Leonean universities could work collaboratively to enhance research capacity, curriculum innovation, staff development, and institutional resilience, while fostering interdisciplinary approaches to complex development challenges.

Key outcomes of the meeting included the presentation of two potential funding options for the proposed partnership by Prof. McGuire-Snieckus, providing a pathway for sustainable implementation. The meeting also reached an agreement to invite a high-level Sierra Leonean delegation to the United Kingdom in July 2026 for the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The proposed MoU signing is expected to involve representatives from the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, the Tertiary Education Commission, and leading universities including Fourah Bay College, Njala University, University of Makeni (UniMak), and University of Management and Technology (UnimTech). The agreement aims to formalise collaboration frameworks and set out clear areas of engagement across teaching, research, and institutional development.

In his response, H.E. Dr. Morie Komba Manyeh, himself a distinguished academic and seasoned diplomat, welcomed the Bath Spa University delegation and commended their commitment to strengthening higher education in Sierra Leone. He expressed appreciation for the constructive engagements held during their recent visit to the country and reaffirmed his readiness to advance the agreed outcomes through sustained engagement with relevant authorities in Freetown.

Dr. Manyeh emphasised the strategic importance of international academic partnerships in driving national development, knowledge exchange, and human capital growth, noting that higher education remains a critical pillar of Sierra Leone’s transformation agenda.

The courtesy visit concluded on an optimistic note, with all parties reaffirming their shared commitment to building sustainable, interdisciplinary research and education partnerships between the United Kingdom and Sierra Leone. The engagement marks another significant step toward deepening academic ties, fostering cross-sector collaboration, and creating long-term impact through knowledge, innovation, and institutional cooperation.