By Thaimu T Kamara

The University of Sierra Leone (USL) has appointed respected academic and Fourah Bay College (FBC) lecturer, Dr. Teddy Foday Musa, as the Officer-in-Charge of the Centre for Policy Studies, a position he says presents an opportunity to strengthen policy development and institutional coordination across the country’s premier university.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Expo Times shortly after his appointment, Dr. Musa described the new role as both an honour and a significant responsibility, pledging to serve the university with dedication, professionalism and integrity.

He attributed his appointment to years of commitment to teaching, mentorship and building strong professional relationships with both students and colleagues.

According to Dr. Musa, his appointment reflects the confidence that the university administration has in his ability to contribute meaningfully to the institution’s continued growth and development.

“I believe this appointment is the result of my hard work over the years, particularly my commitment to my students and the good working relationship I have maintained with colleagues across the university,” he said.

He disclosed that the appointment followed a thorough administrative process, including vetting by the university’s leadership before the final decision was made.

“The administration carefully assessed my suitability for the position before making the appointment, and I am grateful for the trust they have placed in me,” he added.

The Centre for Policy Studies plays an important role in supporting the University of Sierra Leone’s governance framework through research, policy development and institutional planning. As Officer-in-Charge, Dr. Musa will oversee initiatives aimed at strengthening policies that guide the operations and future direction of the university.

Discussing his vision for the Centre, Dr. Musa said his primary objective is to add value by strengthening existing policies while introducing innovative ideas that will improve the university’s administrative and academic systems.

He explained that his focus would not be limited to developing new policies but would also involve reviewing existing ones to ensure they remain relevant and responsive to the evolving needs of the institution.

“There are several areas where I believe improvements can be made. My goal is to work collaboratively with stakeholders to strengthen policies that support quality teaching, research, administration and service delivery across the university,” he said.

Dr. Musa emphasized that effective policy development is essential to achieving institutional excellence, noting that clear, harmonized and well-implemented policies provide the foundation for sustainable growth.

Among the challenges he identified is the need to harmonize policies across the various colleges that make up the University of Sierra Leone.

According to him, differences in administrative procedures and policy implementation across the constituent colleges present an opportunity for greater coordination and standardization.

“Harmonisation of policies is one of the key challenges that I have identified. I believe that by working together, we can develop policies that promote consistency while respecting the unique strengths of each college,” he stated.

He further revealed that he has already identified areas requiring improvement and intends to engage relevant stakeholders in finding practical solutions.

Dr. Musa stressed that consultation and collaboration would be central to his leadership approach, saying that sustainable reforms can only be achieved through collective effort.

He pledged to work closely with the leadership of all constituent colleges within the University of Sierra Leone to promote unity and strengthen institutional cooperation.

“I want to work with every college that forms part of the University of Sierra Leone because we all share the same goal of advancing higher education in this country,” he said.

The newly appointed Officer-in-Charge also promised to maintain close collaboration with academic and administrative staff, describing teamwork as a critical ingredient for institutional success.

He expressed confidence that by working together, staff members can introduce innovative ideas and best practices that will positively transform the university.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues to bring fresh ideas and fresh energy that will support the continued growth and development of the university,” he noted.

Dr. Musa said he views the appointment not merely as a personal achievement but as an opportunity to make meaningful contributions to the advancement of higher education in Sierra Leone.

He expressed appreciation to the university administration for entrusting him with the responsibility and assured members of the university community that he would carry out his duties with fairness, transparency and accountability.

“I am truly excited about this opportunity, and I promise to serve with dignity, commitment and professionalism. My focus will always be on promoting policies that strengthen the university and create a better environment for students, lecturers and staff,” he said.

He also encouraged members of the university community to support the Centre for Policy Studies in its efforts to promote sound governance and institutional development, noting that policy reform requires the active participation of all stakeholders.

As he assumes office, expectations remain high that his experience as a lecturer, mentor and researcher will contribute to strengthening the University’s policy framework and supporting its broader mission of delivering quality higher education, research and community service in Sierra Leone.

 Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 13th July 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)