ETU-SL Installs New Chancellor, Professor Joseph Aruna Lawrence Kamara

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

The Eastern Technical University of Sierra Leone (ETU-SL) announced 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 became the second Chancellor of ETU-SL, succeeding Dr. Julius F. Sandy, who served with distinction and now serves Sierra Leone as the High Commissioner to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

In his inaugural address, Professor Kamara expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve ETU-SL, emphasising his commitment to advancing academic excellence, research, and strategic partnerships. “I am greatly honoured to be appointed Chancellor of ETU. 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 contributions of Dr. Julius Sandy in laying the institutional foundation of ETU-SL during its formative years. He affirmed that Professor Kamara’s leadership would further solidify the university’s trajectory towards becoming a centre 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.

Citation

Section 7(1) of the Universities Act of 2021 provides that the President shall, on the advice of the Minister, appoint a Sierra Leonean with a 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 three years, eligible for reappointment for one further term.

Professor Kamara’s Credentials

Professor Joseph Aruna Lawrence Kamara (PhD)

BSc Mathematics, Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone. MSc Mathematical Statistics and Demography, University of Stockholm, Sweden. PhD Mathematical Demography and Statistics (Technical Demography), London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London. Post-doctoral research at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Full Professor of Mathematical Demography and Statistics in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone. Served as Head of Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Fourah Bay College (2018–2022), and Acting Vice Chancellor and Principal of the University of Sierra Leone in 2024/25. Previously served as Statistician-General for Statistics Sierra Leone (2006–2009).