By: Abdul Razack Gbla
The Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM), one of Sierra Leone’s leading institutions for entrepreneurship education, is set to host a delegation from the prestigious London School of Economics (LSE). This marks the first time IPAM has welcomed such a delegation, signifying a major milestone for both the institution and Sierra Leone at large.
Under the visionary leadership of Professor Madam Miriam Conteh Morgan, IPAM has solidified its reputation as a premier hub for entrepreneurship in Sierra Leone. The upcoming partnership with LSE Generate further underscores IPAM’s growing influence on both national and international stages.
This collaboration between IPAM’s Centre of Excellence in Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEEI) and LSE Generate, aimed at fostering global entrepreneurship initiatives, was formalized through a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement facilitates collaboration in entrepreneurship and social innovation, enabling program exchanges, joint ventures, and other cooperative initiatives that will benefit students and aspiring entrepreneurs in Sierra Leone and beyond.
The partnership officially kicked off in June with the launch of the Change Maker program. The program will culminate with an event titled “The Future of Social Entrepreneurship in Sierra Leone”, scheduled for Wednesday, September 25, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM. The event will be held at the IPAM Centre of Excellence in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, located in the Entrepreneurship Hub at the Ekundayo Thompson Building on IPAM’s Tower Hill campus.
This event is expected to attract a diverse audience, including stakeholders from the fields of entrepreneurship, academia, and social development. The day’s agenda features a dynamic panel discussion exploring how social entrepreneurship can be leveraged to address some of Sierra Leone’s most pressing social and economic challenges. Following the panel, interactive roundtable sessions will encourage active participation from attendees.
One of the highlights of the event will be the Start-up Showcase, where promising early-stage social entrepreneurs from IPAM’s Changemakers Sierra Leone initiative will present their innovative business ideas. These start-ups, which focus on tackling critical social issues such as healthcare, education, and environmental sustainability, will showcase the transformative potential of social entrepreneurship in Sierra Leone.
Speaking about the upcoming event, Professor Madam Miriam Conteh Morgan expressed her enthusiasm, stating: “Our partnership with the London School of Economics is a significant step toward enhancing IPAM’s global standing. It opens up a world of opportunities for our students and entrepreneurs. Social entrepreneurship has the power to transform Sierra Leone, and this event will serve as a platform for meaningful dialogue and action.”
The event is free and open to the public, and interested participants are encouraged to register online to secure their spot. This landmark occasion promises to offer a forum for fresh ideas, networking, and collaboration, fostering the growth of Sierra Leone’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
For those wishing to attend, the event will be held at IPAM’s Tower Hill campus in Freetown. To register for your free ticket or for further details, please contact the IPAM Centre of Excellence in Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
This groundbreaking collaboration signals a new era of innovation and entrepreneurship in Sierra Leone, with IPAM leading the charge toward a brighter, more socially conscious future.
