Launch of Limkokwing University Sierra Leone
Limkokwing University Worldwide launched its first West African campus in Sierra Leone on 18th March 2017, after establishing three other campuses in the African countries of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland.
Limkokwing University’s latest campus is situated along Hill Station Road in the capital city of Freetown. The University had the honour of being Sierra Leone’s first foreign university offering creativity-centred courses with a pioneer cohort of 1,100 students. The University launch event which was themed “Transformation of Sierra Leone” as officiated by the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone HE Dr Ernest Bai Koroma, who declared Limkokwing University Sierra Leone’s National University of Transformation and appointed the University Founder & President Tan Sri Limkokwing Advisor to the President.
A Significant Milestone
In his speech during the launch, President of Sierra Leone Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma said the opening of Limkokwing University’s local campus in the country is set to transform the tertiary education landscape of the nation. “The opening of the university campus will help meet our country’s high demand for graduates in the field of digital technology.” Dr. Koroma also praised Limkokwing University’s Founder and President Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Paduka Dr. Lim Kok Wing for seeing African countries beyond the stereotypical image often presented in the media.
Tan Sri Limkokwing meanwhile said the University’s branch campus’ main role in the country will be to use education as a means to help in the social and economic transformation of Sierra Leone. “In establishing ourselves here, we have given ourselves the role of a global connector in promoting Sierra Leone, making use of the resources of our campuses across the world and the collegial network we have built, we shall work to bring the world to Sierra Leone and take Sierra Leone to the world.”
Tan Sri Lim also added that Limkokwing University has begun the process of transformation by creating the most high-tech learning environment to empower students with the latest in digital technology. This is in line with the University’s vision to create graduates that will go on to become technology-savvy movers and shakers of the country. “Here at this University, a student from even the most remote part of Sierra Leone will become a technology competent individual who is creative and innovative.”
The opening of Limkokwing University in Sierra Leone puts the country that was on two years lockdown due to Ebola on a journey to accelerate human capital development and international competitiveness. The University will start with the empowerment of the nation’s best and brightest young citizens with efforts to build a generation of creative thinkers and innovative doers and nurture an inspired generation of highly skilled, knowledgeable, tech-savvy with a global outlook.
Limkokwing University has embraced the TVET (Technical Vocational Educational Training) model of education from the outset and long before it entered into the global educational lexicon. The University TVET Model has taken the partnership of industry with academic to new pioneering levels and has afforded to industry a dynamic and impacting role on curriculum development and in ensuring that the University’s courses deliver industry ready graduates.
Most Globally Connected
Limkokwing is the first Malaysian institution of higher learning to give education new perspectives that respond to changing demands of globalisation. For students, the opportunity to study in one university and access three continents is to be empowered with knowledge and skills required by today’s globalised world. Through its globalisation initiatives, the University has set up campuses in the UK, China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland and Sierra Leone to create a unique pathway spread across three continents.
Limkokwing University’s main campus in Malaysia is an eco-system with a vibrant community of students from 160 countries. This lays the foundation of networking with positive impact locally and globally. As the leading provider of industry-focused education, this enables students to develop the knowledge needed for high-impact and high-income careers.
The Limkokwing Global Campus is a groundbreaking initiative, which will create an international network of empowered global graduates with limitless opportunities in spanning countries and continents, disciplines and cultures to make positive contributions to a globalised world. It aims to train and empower the next generation of leaders and innovators within and beyond academia and industry.
Students who spend part of their studies at the Limkokwing London campus can access European capitals for a broader European experience. Graduates who have undertaken Limkokwing Global Campus, are the persona grata of the new world with the accreditation and acknowledgement of global recognition and acceptance because of their international exposure in their fields of study. With their international outlook and experience, top international corporations and companies would not hesitate to employ them and transcontinental global job opportunities await them upon graduation.
Limkokwing University is a global tertiary education provider that blends holistic education with industry-driven skills. Limkokwing University has a presence across Africa, Europe and Asia and has over 30,000 students from more than 150 countries, studying in its campuses across the three continents.
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Nigerians, Zimbabweans apply for Chema Chema Fund
Fronting activities, where locals are used as a front for foreign-owned businesses, have been a long-standing issue in Botswana. These activities not only undermine the government’s efforts to promote local businesses but also deprive Batswana of opportunities for economic empowerment, officials say. The Ministry of Trade and Industry has warned of heavy penalties for those involved in fronting activities especially in relation to the latest popular government initiative dubbed Chema Chema.
According to the Ministry, the Industrial Development Act of 2019 clearly outlines the consequences of engaging in fronting activities. The fines of up to P50,000 for first-time offenders and P20,000 plus a two-year jail term for repeat offenders send a strong message that the government is serious about cracking down on this illegal practice. These penalties are meant to deter individuals from participating in fronting activities and to protect the integrity of local industries.
“It is disheartening to hear reports of collaboration between foreigners and locals to exploit government initiatives such as the Chema Chema Fund. This fund, administered by CEDA and LEA, is meant to support informal traders and low-income earners in Botswana. However, when fronting activities come into play, the intended beneficiaries are sidelined, and the funds are misused for personal gain.” It has been discovered that foreign nationals predominantly of Zimbabwean and Nigerian origin use unsuspecting Batswana to attempt to access the Chema Chema Fund. It is understood that they approach these Batswana under the guise of drafting business plans for them or simply coming up with ‘bankable business ideas that qualify for Chema Chema.’
Observers say the Chema Chema Fund has the potential to uplift the lives of many Batswana who are struggling to make ends meet. They argue that it is crucial that these funds are used for their intended purpose and not siphoned off through illegal activities such as fronting. The Ministry says the warning it issued serves as a reminder to all stakeholders involved in the administration of these funds to ensure transparency and accountability in their disbursement.
One local commentator said it is important to highlight the impact of fronting activities on the local economy and the livelihoods of Batswana. He said by using locals as a front for foreign-owned businesses, opportunities for local entrepreneurs are stifled, and the economic empowerment of Batswana is hindered. The Ministry’s warning of heavy penalties is a call to action for all stakeholders to work together to eliminate fronting activities and promote a level playing field for local businesses.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Trade and Industry’s warning of heavy penalties for fronting activities is a necessary step to protect the integrity of local industries and promote economic empowerment for Batswana. “It is imperative that all stakeholders comply with regulations and work towards a transparent and accountable business environment. By upholding the law and cracking down on illegal activities, we can ensure a fair and prosperous future for all Batswana.”
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Merck Foundation and African First Ladies mark World Health Day 2024
Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany marks “World Health Day” 2024 together with Africa’s First Ladies who are also Ambassadors of MerckFoundation “More Than a Mother” Campaign through their Scholarship and Capacity Building Program. Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation emphasized, “At Merck Foundation, we mark World Health Day every single day of the year over the past 12 years, by building healthcare capacity and transforming patient care across Africa, Asia and beyond.
I am proud to share that Merck Foundation has provided over 1740 scholarships to aspiring young doctors from 52 countries, in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties such as Oncology, Diabetes, Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine, Endocrinology, Sexual and Reproductive Medicine, Acute Medicine, Respiratory Medicine, Embryology & Fertility specialty, Gastroenterology, Dermatology, Psychiatry, Emergency and Resuscitation Medicine, Critical Care, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Neonatal Medicine, Advanced Surgical Practice, Pain Management, General Surgery, Clinical Microbiology and infectious diseases, Internal Medicine, Trauma & Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, Neurology, Cardiology, Stroke Medicine, Care of the Older Person, Family Medicine, Pediatrics and Child Health, Obesity & Weight Management, Women’s Health, Biotechnology in ART and many more”.
As per the available data, Africa has only 34.6% of the required doctors, nurses, and midwives. It is projected that by 2030, Africa would need additional 6.1 million doctors, nurses, and midwives*. “For Example, before the start of the Merck Foundation programs in 2012; there was not a single Oncologist, Fertility or Reproductive care specialists, Diabetologist, Respiratory or ICU specialist in many countries such as The Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Central African Republic, Guinea, Burundi, Niger, Chad, Ethiopia, Namibia among others. We are certainly creating historic legacy in Africa, and also beyond. Together with our partners like Africa’s First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Gender, Education and Communication, we are impacting the lives of people in the most disadvantaged communities in Africa and beyond.”, added Senator Dr. Kelej. Merck Foundation works closely with their Ambassadors, the African First Ladies and local partners such as; Ministries of Health, Education, Information & Communication, Gender, Academia, Research Institutions, Media and Art in building healthcare capacity and addressing health, social & economic challenges in developing countries and under-served communities. “I strongly believe that training healthcare providers and building professional healthcare capacity is the right strategy to improve access to equitable and quality at health care in Africa.
Therefore, I am happy to announce the Call for Applications for 2024 Scholarships for young doctors with special focus on female doctors for our online one-year diploma and two year master degree in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties, which includes both Online Diploma programs and On-Site Fellowship and clinical training programs. The applications are invited through the Office of our Ambassadors and long-term partners, The First Ladies of Africa and Ministry of Health of each country.” shared Dr . Kelej. “Our aim is to improve the overall health and wellbeing of people by building healthcare capacity across Africa, Asia and other developing countries. We are strongly committed to transforming patientcare landscape through our scholarships program”, concluded Senator Kelej.
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Interpol fugitive escapes from Botswana
John Isaak Ndovi, a Tanzanian national embroiled in controversy and pursued under a red notice by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), has mysteriously vanished, bypassing a scheduled bail hearing at the Extension 2 Magistrate Court in Gaborone. Previously apprehended by Botswana law enforcement at the Tlokweng border post several months earlier, his escape has ignited serious concerns.
Accused of pilfering assets worth in excess of P1 million, an amount translating to roughly 30,000 Omani Riyals, Ndovi has become a figure of paramount interest, especially to the authorities in the Sultanate of Oman, nestled in the far reaches of Asia.
The unsettling news of his disappearance surfaced following his failure to present himself at the Extension 2 Magistrate Court the preceding week. Speculation abounds that Ndovi may have sought refuge in South Africa in a bid to elude capture, prompting a widespread mobilization of law enforcement agencies to ascertain his current location.
In an official communiqué, Detective Senior Assistant Police Commissioner Selebatso Mokgosi of Interpol Gaborone disclosed Ndovi’s apprehension last September at the Tlokweng border, a capture made possible through the vigilant issuance of the Interpol red notice.
At 36, Ndovi is implicated in a case of alleged home invasion in Oman. Despite the non-existence of an extradition treaty between Botswana and Oman, Nomsa Moatswi, the Director of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), emphasized that the lack of formal extradition agreements does not hinder her office’s ability to entertain extradition requests. She highlighted the adoption of international cooperation norms, advocating for collaboration through the lenses of international comity and reciprocity.
Moatswi disclosed the intensified effort by law enforcement to locate Ndovi following his no-show in court, and pointed to Botswana’s track record of extraditing two international fugitives from France and Zimbabwe in the previous year as evidence of the country’s relentless pursuit of legal integrity.
When probed about the potential implications of Ndovi’s case on Botswana’s forthcoming evaluation by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Moatswi reserved her speculations. She acknowledged the criticality of steering clear of blacklisting, suggesting that this singular case is unlikely to feature prominently in the FATF’s assessment criteria.