Enhancing Academic Mobility and Innovation in Sierra Leone’s Higher Education: A National Policy Proposal for Diversified Tuition Waivers across Universities

Abstract

 


This article critically examines the current practice of tuition waivers for academic staff pursuing higher degrees within their home institutions in Sierra Leone’s universities. While commendable efforts by university leadership, such as the University of Sierra Leone’s Vice Chancellor’s call for staff to seek postgraduate and doctoral studies beyond their institutions, aim to foster academic diversity and innovation, the existing tuition waiver policies remain institution-bound. This paper argues for a transformative policy reform to diversify and extend tuition waivers across universities nationally, enabling academic staff to study at any accredited institution within Sierra Leone with financial support. Such a policy would mitigate academic inbreeding, promote cross-institutional collaboration, and enhance the overall quality and global competitiveness of Sierra Leone’s higher education system. Drawing on theoretical frameworks of academic mobility and institutional innovation, this policy article outlines the rationale, potential benefits, implementation challenges, and strategic recommendations for stakeholders in Sierra Leone’s higher education sector.


 

References

[1] Altbach, P. G., & Knight, J. (2007). The Internationalization of Higher Education: Motivations and Realities. Journal of Studies in International Education, 11(3-4): 290-305.
[2] Duramany-Lakkoh, E. K. (2015). Financing higher education in Sierra Leone: The challenges and implications on the supply side. International Journal of Education, Learning and Development, 3(2): 61–73. Available at: https://tudr.org/id/eprint/916
[3] Guerrero, M., & Urbano, D. (2014). Financing Higher Education in Sierra Leone: The Challenges and Implications on the Supply Side. International Journal of Education, Learning and Development, 3(2): 61-73.
[4] Horta, H., & Santos, J. M. (2016). Academic Inbreeding and Its Effects on Research Productivity. Higher Education, 71(5): 1-15.
[5] Jalloh, C. M. (2024). Transforming higher education in Sierra Leone – A path to sustainable development. International Journal of Sustainable Development Research, 10(4). DOI: 10.11648/j.ijsdr.20241004.13
[6] Kamara, A. K., & Momoh, P. L. (2023). An Exploratory Study on the Implementation of Student Loans in Alleviating Poverty and Its Contribution to Human Capital Development in Sierra Leone. Open Access Library Journal, 10, e9791.
[7] Marginson, S. (2016). Higher Education and the Common Good. Melbourne University Publishing.
[8] Teichler, U. (2015). Internationalization Trends in Higher Education and the Changing Role of International Student Mobility. Journal of International Mobility, 3(1): 1-15.
[9] Sierra Leone Universities Act No. 5 (2021). Republic of Sierra Leone.
[10] SierraLoaded. (2025, April 15). Vice Chancellor of USL encourages staff to pursue degrees outside USL system. SierraLoaded. Retrieved May 9, 2025, from https://www.sierraloaded.sl/news/vice-chancellor-of-usl-encourages-staff-to-pursue-degrees-outside-usl-system
[11] World Bank. (2023). Financing education systems effectively. World Bank Group. https://worldbank.org/curated/en/099103123163515717/pdf/P1781350b988a60d10a9ee0cd9b63089ec4.pdf
Published
2025-06-30
How to Cite
DUMBUYA, Emmanuel. Enhancing Academic Mobility and Innovation in Sierra Leone’s Higher Education: A National Policy Proposal for Diversified Tuition Waivers across Universities. Journal of Research in Educational Sciences, [S.l.], v. 16, n. 1, p. 21-25, june 2025. ISSN 2068-8407. Available at: <https://journals.aserspublishing.eu/jres/article/view/8950>. Date accessed: 04 july 2025. doi: https://doi.org/10.14505/jres.v16.1(19).03.