Eastern Technical University of Sierra Leone (ETU-SL), Kenema | April 30, 2025,

The Eastern Technical University of Sierra Leone (ETU-SL) proudly announces the installation of its new Chancellor, Professor JOSEPH ARUNA LAWRENCE KAMARA, marking a significant milestone in the University’s history. The installation ceremony, held at the University’s main campus in Kenema, brought together government officials, academia, traditional leaders, and international dignitaries.

Professor Kamara becomes the second Chancellor of ETU-SL, succeeding Dr. Julius F. Sandy, who served with distinction and is now serving Sierra Leone as the High Commissioner to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

In his inaugural address, Professor Kamara expressed profound gratitude for the opportunity to serve ETU-SL, emphasizing his commitment to advancing academic excellence, research innovation, and strategic partnerships. “I am greatly honored to be appointed Chancellor of ETU, as I stand here before you this morning giving this address as chancellor of the Eastern Technical University, I gladly express my appreciation to the Honorable Minister of Technical and Higher education and the Deputy Minister of MTHE and His Excellency the President for finding me worthy to be appointed as Chancellor of the Eastern Technical University of Sierra Leone. I am honored to be entrusted with this noble responsibility. Together, we will build a future-oriented university that drives socio-economic transformation,” he stated.

Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Mohamed T. Lahai, welcomed the new Chancellor and acknowledged the remarkable contributions of Dr. Julius Sandy in laying the institutional foundation of ETU-SL during its formative years. He affirmed that Professor Kamara’s leadership will further solidify the University’s trajectory towards becoming a center of technical and professional excellence in Sierra Leone and beyond.

The ceremony featured the formal presentation of symbols of authority and goodwill messages from local and international partners, including representatives from the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, the Tertiary Education Commission, and various universities.

ETU-SL continues to grow as a beacon of innovation, resilience, and progress. The installation of Professor Lawrence Kamara marks the beginning of a new chapter in the University’s journey of empowering future generations through transformative education.

CITATION

The Section 7(1) provision of the Universities Act of 2021 states that;

“ The President shall, on the advice of the Minister, appoint a Sierra Leonean with proven record of high moral rectitude and integrity, sound academic background and a distinguished career in academia, the professions, business, religion or traditional rulership, to serve as University Chancellor and head of the University for a term of 3 years and shall be eligible for reappointment for a further term of 3 years only.”

Relying on the above provision, the Hon. Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, advised the Visitor (His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone) on the appointment of the Chancellor, and he heeded her advice by granting a concurrence for the appointment of the Chancellor.

Professor JOSEPH ARUNA LAWRENCE KAMARA (PhD)

Bachelor of Science (BSc. Mathematics): Fourah Bay College-University of Sierra Leone. Master of Science (MSc. Mathematical Statistics and Demography)-University of Stockholm-Sweden. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD. Mathematical Demography and Statistics (Technical demography) – University of London (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine); United Kingdom.

He also did his Post-Doctoral research at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. University of London. United Kingdom.

He is a full Professor of Mathematical Demography and Statistics in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics – Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone.

He has several years of experience teaching undergraduate and Postgraduate students in Mathematics and Statistics at Fourah Bay College, and served as Head of Department of Mathematics and Statistics for several Years.

He has published several research papers in reputable Journals, and several peer-reviewed Monographs and Books, available on Amazon.

He served as Deputy Vice Chancellor of Fourah Bay College (2018 – 2022) and as Acting Vice Chancellor and Principal of the University of Sierra Leone in 2024/25.

He Served as Statistician-General (2006 – 2009) for Statistics Sierra Leone.

Main Research Areas of Interest: Mathematical and Statistical Modelling in areas of Mortality and Fertility, Construction of Life Tables, Mathematical and Statistical Modelling: Stochastic Processes in Business, Health, Infectious Communicable Diseases, etc.