Universities Act, 2005
An Act providing for the establishment, governance and regulation of universities in Sierra Leone.
Summary
The Universities Act, 2005 provides for the establishment, governance and regulation of universities in Sierra Leone. It reformed the organisation of higher education, including arrangements for public universities and the establishment and recognition of universities generally.
The Act provides for the constitution and governance of universities (including their councils, senates and principal officers), their academic and administrative functions, the conditions for establishing and operating a university, the award of degrees, and their autonomy and accountability. It operates alongside the Tertiary Education Commission, which provides quality assurance and coordination. It was amended in 2014.
Main provisions
- Provides for the establishment and recognition of universities.
- Provides for university governance, including councils and senates.
- Provides for their academic and administrative functions.
- Provides for the award of degrees and academic standards.
- Balances university autonomy with accountability.
- Operates alongside the Tertiary Education Commission.