*IPAM STUDENTS' UNION LAUNCHES GROUNDBREAKING LECTURE SERIES WITH FORMER UN OFFICIAL*

21st June 2026

The Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM), the University of Sierra Leone is cementing its position as Sierra Leone's premier institution for forward-thinking discourse, as the IPAM Students' Union unveils an ambitious series of public lectures featuring some of the nation's most distinguished statesmen and global thought leaders.

The upcoming lecture on July 6, 2026, promises to be a landmark event, with Hon. Dr. Kandeh K. Yumkella, the Chair of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy & Food Security (PI-CREF) and Special Envoy for the ECOWAS Investment Summit—taking the stage as guest speaker.

*From Classroom to National Conversation*

What makes this initiative particularly significant is its scope. Under the banner of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy & Food Security, the series represents a deliberate effort to bridge academic theory with national policy reality. Students will engage directly with the minds shaping Sierra Leone's future across critical sectors.

Dr. Yumkella, a former UN Under-Secretary-General and Director-General of UNIDO, will address the interconnected themes of "Powering Regional Integration Through Energy Trade, Strategic Minerals, Agribusiness and Digital Transformation", a topic that sits at the heart of West Africa's economic ambitions.

*A Pattern of Excellence*

This lecture is part of a growing tradition at IPAM, where students now regularly interact with senior government officials, international development experts, and private sector leaders. The initiative signals a new era for the institution, one where intellectual curiosity meets practical statecraft.

"The IPAM Students' Union is committed to ensuring our members are not just passive learners, but active participants in national development," said the union President, Mr Duramany-Lakkoh. *"Hosting figures of Dr. Yumkella's caliber transforms our campus into a hub of national conversation."*

*A Wake-Up Call*

The bold *"DON'T MISS OUT!"* call-to-action on promotional materials reflects the urgency and excitement surrounding the event. For many students, it represents a rare opportunity to engage directly with the policymaking process, to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and contribute their own ideas to the national agenda.

*Beyond the Lecture Hall*

The series' focus on climate change, renewable energy, food security, and digital transformation is particularly timely, aligning with Sierra Leone's Medium-Term National Development Plan and the ECOWAS regional integration agenda. Students will explore how energy trade can power economies, how strategic minerals can drive industrialization, and how agribusiness and digital innovation can create sustainable livelihoods.

*Building Tomorrow's Leaders Today*

By hosting such distinguished speakers, IPAM is not only enriching its academic environment but also positioning its graduates as the next generation of policymakers, innovators, and leaders. The lecture series sends a powerful message: Sierra Leone's future is being built here, in the lecture halls of IPAM.

*Event Details*:

· Date: Monday, July 6, 2026
· Time: 1:00 PM
· Venue: IPAM Campus
· Guest Speaker: Hon. Dr. Kandeh K. Yumkella

The countdown has begun—and for IPAM students, the opportunity to learn from one of Sierra Leone's most accomplished global citizens is an experience that could shape their careers for decades to come.

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