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Our inaugural symposium was held at the end of October 2021 at St Marys University, Twickenham London UK in conjunction with our events team was to set the stage for the theme- Fourah Bay College ‘The Past, Present and The Way Forward’ which was jointly examined by all In-Person and Virtual attendees as a Sierra Leonean and West African institution that was at the heart of the description of Sierra Leone as ‘Athens of West Africa/Africa (arguably)’.

 

The Symposium launched the Scholarship Tuition Fund and Mentorship Programme, which will in due course aim to relieve deserving students of financial hardship by providing financial support in the form of assistance and scholarships as identified and as required.

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The event clearly demonstrated how the creation of a global community can be capitalised on, via a hybrid platform. In tandem with this was the launch of https://www.fbcaauk.org demonstrating a 24/7 online capability of interacting with our stakeholders and its enormous potential for further collaboration, development of features and provision of benefits.

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This ‘Big Idea’ in relation to the historical tertiary education sector in modern sub-Saharan Africa since the founding of the University of Timbuktu in the Malian empire in the late 16th and early 17th century, the founding of Fourah Bay College in 1827 which was the fulcrum of Freetown, Sierra Leone’s description as the ‘Athens of West Africa/Africa’ was the next significant development of this type in the region in the 19th century.

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For the records, the UNESCO’s website states that Fourah Bay College is the first institution of higher learning in the region since the collapse of the University of Timbuktu. Within this context, it is important to also emphasise at this point that this historic African institution will also be commemorating its 200th anniversary in 2027.

 

Appreciations 

• Ms Madonna Tucker-Coward - our indefatigable Organising Secretary, in the preparation as our events team lead.

• Mr Alfred Syl-Turay, the Public Relations & Communications Lead for his initiative and efforts as a web designer and team leader in the creation of this website.

• The contribution of the management of St Mary’s University for their cooperation thoroughly enjoyed working with them to make the event a success.

• All  distinguished ladies and gentlemen, guests, alumni, friends/supporters including performing artistes who joined the event as speakers, panellists, attendees/delegates and entertainers on the day.

•  FBC AA UK Events Team and our sponsors i.e., Countdown Bar & Restaurant in Battersea, London, The Mortgage Option in Washington DC, USA and AYV London Head Office for their generosity and support.

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In addition, the other tasks on the day were the launch of:
1) A Scholarship Tuition Fund and Mentorship Programme