William Paterson University and Essex County College to Develop Plans to Work with University of Sierra Leone in Africa

William Paterson University in Wayne and Essex County College in Newark have agreed to create educational linkages with the University of Sierra Leone to support the redevelopment of higher education in the African nation and enhance the internationalization of programs at the two New Jersey institutions.

Dr. Arnold Speert, president of William Paterson University, and Dr. A. Zachary Yamba, president of Essex County College, will meet with His Excellency Ibrahim Kamara, the ambassador of the Republic of Sierra Leone to the United States, on Friday, April 16 at William Paterson University to sign the agreement. The meeting will take place at 11 a.m. in Hobart Manor.

“We are pleased to participate in the development of higher education in Sierra Leone through educational linkages with the University of Sierra Leone and Essex County College,” says Speert.

“The programs that we are developing will help support the University of Sierra Leone and will also help to enrich the educational experience of students and faculty at William Paterson University,” adds Speert.

“Essex County College is pleased to join in this collaborative effort with William Paterson to help restore higher education opportunities in Sierra Leone,” says Yamba. “This initiative will provide both technical and instructional support for the University of Sierra Leone, fostering increased access to academic and career resources for its students and faculty.” Yamba also commended Rutgers University-Newark, which has agreed to provide additional assistance for this effort.

“Although Rutgers-Newark is not a signatory to the memorandum of understanding at this time, we are delighted to be able to be a part of this joint collegiate effort to support the reconstruction of the University of Sierra Leone,” says Steven Diner, provost of Rutgers-Newark.

The agreement calls for faculty and student exchanges for teaching, study and research; administrative and professional staff training; joint sponsorship of educational programs, conferences and seminars; and cultural and artistic collaborations, as well as exchanges of technical and instructional resources.
Most of the educational institutions in Sierra Leone, including the University of Sierra Leone, were completely damaged during the country’s 12-year civil war. They have requested assistance to provide needed resources to their faculty and students.

The agreement is part of an ongoing effort on behalf of William Paterson University and Essex County College over the next several years to help the students and faculty of Sierra Leone.



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For Further Information, contact:

Mary Beth Zeman, Director, Public Relations 973-720-2966

4/15/04