*Fourah Bay College Commissions Erasmus W.B. Cole Instrumentation Room, Awards Scholarships to Chemistry Students*

3rd July 2026

The Department of Chemistry at Fourah Bay College (FBC), University of Sierra Leone, marked another significant milestone in its ongoing transformation on Thursday, 2nd July 2026, with the official commissioning of the *Erasmus W.B. Cole Instrumentation Room* and the presentation of scholarships to *four outstanding Chemistry students*.

The event brought together representatives of the University of Sierra Leone, the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE), the Erasmus W.B. Cole Trust, government institutions, private-sector organisations, alumni, faculty, staff, and students in celebration of a partnership that continues to strengthen scientific education, research, and innovation at the college.

The ceremony was chaired by Mr Minks Jalloh, Lead of the Industrial Chemistry Programme and an inventor associated with an IBM-based patent.

*Commissioning and Key Addresses*

Dr Dante A. Bendu, Assutant to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor I (ADVC I) of Fourah Bay College, represented both the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Sierra Leone and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of FBC. In his keynote address, he praised the Department for its strategic vision and commitment to academic excellence before officially commissioning the facility through the ceremonial ribbon-cutting.

Providing background on the Trust's intervention, Mr James Jonah explained that the endowment was inspired by the late Rev. Erasmus W.B. Cole's belief that no student should be deprived of educational opportunity because of financial hardship , a challenge Rev. Cole himself experienced during his lifetime. He further noted Rev. Cole's special connection to the Department of Chemistry, strengthened by his son's service there as a lecturer.

Mr Brima Bah, Deputy Registrar, described the commissioning as the fulfilment of Rev. Cole's long-standing desire to support Fourah Bay College through the Department of Chemistry. He acknowledged that despite earlier communication challenges, perseverance and goodwill ensured that the benefactor's vision would ultimately benefit future generations of students.

*Dr Blanshard Highlights Partnerships and Vision 2030*

Delivering the Department's address, Acting Head of Department Dr Alex F. J. Blanshard reflected on the Department's remarkable transformation, emphasising that meaningful institutional progress is achieved through sustained partnerships rather than isolated interventions.

He paid tribute to Prof. Alpha T. Wurie, noting that during his tenure as Minister of Technical and Higher Education, European Union funding was secured to refurbish the Department's laboratories, providing the modern infrastructure upon which current progress has been built. Dr Blanshard also acknowledged Prof. Wurie's continued pro bono lecturing, supervision, and mentorship.

He further recognised alumni Rycourt and Florence Freeman for donating Starlink technology, an intervention that ushered the Department into a new era of digital teaching and international collaboration. The Erasmus W.B. Cole Trust subsequently assumed responsibility for the Department's Starlink and Zoom subscriptions, ensuring the sustainability of those digital learning facilities.

According to Dr Blanshard, the newly commissioned Instrumentation Room represents the latest milestone in the Department's transformation journey. While the European Union-funded project refurbished the physical space, he explained that the facility remained unequipped until the Trust provided modern analytical instruments that will now strengthen undergraduate teaching, postgraduate research, and analytical investigations.

He stressed that the facility is not simply a room housing Trust-acquired equipment, but the Department's central instrumentation hub, designed to evolve through future government support, research grants, alumni contributions, and industry partnerships under the Department's emerging Vision 2030 agenda.

*Scholarships and Broader Impact*

Beyond the Instrumentation Room, Dr Blanshard highlighted the Trust's wider contributions to the Department, including the restoration of reliable running water on the upper floor of the Ernest Wright Chemistry Building, installation of an electrical changeover system, support for digital learning, improved laboratory safety, and scholarship opportunities for students.

A major highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of Erasmus W.B. Cole Trust Scholarships to four deserving Chemistry students, reaffirming the Trust's commitment to investing in the next generation of scientists and researchers.

*Support from Government and Faculty*

Representing the Honourable Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr Josephus Braima commended both the Department and the Trust for demonstrating how strategic partnerships can advance science, innovation, and higher education in Sierra Leone.

Dr Reynold Johnson, Dean of the Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, congratulated the Department for embracing innovation while remaining firmly grounded in the core principles of Chemistry.

Following the commissioning ceremony, guests toured the newly equipped Instrumentation Room to observe the analytical instruments that will enhance teaching, research, and professional laboratory services at the institution.

*Acknowledgements*

The Department of Chemistry expressed appreciation to the Erasmus W.B. Cole Trust, the European Union, Prof. Alpha T. Wurie, Rycourt and Florence Freeman, University Management, the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, government institutions, private-sector partners, alumni, and friends of the Department for their collective support toward advancing Chemistry education at Fourah Bay College.

The commissioning of the Erasmus W.B. Cole Instrumentation Room represents more than the opening of a laboratory facility. It stands as a symbol of vision, partnership, and faithful stewardship , demonstrating that lasting institutional transformation is possible when committed individuals and organisations work together toward a common purpose.

Edited by 

*Dr. Tonya Musa*
 
Director of Communication and International Relations University of Sierra Leone.