*FOURAH BAY COLLEGE ANNOUNCES HISTORIC 200TH ANNIVERSARY INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE*

CALL FOR PAPERS ISSUED TO SCHOLARS ACROSS THE GLOBE

 *29th June 2026*

 As Fourah Bay College (FBC), University of Sierra Leone, approaches its landmark bicentennial celebration in 2027, the institution has officially launched a global Call for Papers for its prestigious 200th Anniversary International Conference, inviting scholars, researchers, policymakers, innovators, alumni, and development practitioners from around the world to contribute to a defining intellectual moment in Africa’s academic history.

Founded in 1827, Fourah Bay College stands as the oldest Western-style university in sub-Saharan Africa and has long been recognized as the “Athens of West Africa,” producing generations of leaders, thinkers, clergy, jurists, scientists, educators, and statesmen who have shaped the continent and beyond.

The conference forms a major pillar of the Bicentennial Transformation Agenda and seeks to reflect on two centuries of academic excellence while charting a bold vision for the future of African higher education.

*Under the theme:*

“Two Centuries of Excellence: Reflecting, Reimagining, and Repositioning Fourah Bay College for Africa’s Future”

the conference will provide a vibrant platform for critical dialogue, groundbreaking research, and innovative policy discussions focused on Africa’s development trajectory in the 21st century.

The conference will explore a broad range of sub-themes including:

• Education, Knowledge, and Nation Building
• Science, Technology, and Innovation for Development
• Governance, Leadership, and Institutional Transformation
• Culture, Heritage, and Identity in a Globalized World
• Health, Environment, and Sustainable Development
• Entrepreneurship, Industry, and Economic Transformation

According to organizers, the international conference is expected to attract distinguished academics, institutions, development partners, and global thought leaders committed to advancing research and higher education on the African continent.

“This conference is more than an academic gathering,” organizers noted. “It is a historic intellectual reunion that celebrates the enduring legacy of Fourah Bay College while mobilizing ideas capable of shaping Africa’s future for generations to come.”

*Key dates announced include:*

• Call for Papers Opens – 1st June 2026
• Abstract Submission Deadline – 31st August 2026
• Notification of Acceptance – 30th September 2026
• Full Paper Submission Deadline – 30th November 2026

Abstracts of between 300–500 words are to be submitted through the official conference channels. Selected papers are expected to contribute to high-level scholarly discourse and may form part of commemorative publications marking the institution’s bicentenary.

As the countdown to 2027 intensifies, Fourah Bay College continues to position the bicentennial celebration not only as a remembrance of history, but as a transformational movement aimed at revitalizing infrastructure, strengthening academic excellence, promoting digital innovation, and expanding global partnerships.

The College has called on alumni, governments, universities, research institutions, development organizations, and friends of Africa to participate actively in the conference and broader bicentennial activities.

©️ *Dr. Tonya Musa* 

Director of Communication and International Relations University of Sierra Leone