Former Fourah Bay College Research Assistant Bags PhD

Commentary

By Sanpha Sesay, Texas.

The number of Sierra Leoneans bagging PhD degrees in North America is increasing. A greater number of Sierra Leonean immigrants in the continent continue to graduate with doctorate degrees across different disciplines in recent years.

According to research on statistical data of Sierra Leoneans academic accomplishment around the world, those in North America is believed to have surpassed all other Sierra Leoneans living in other regions of the world.
This time it is from Canada where a former Fourah-Bay College research assistant, Mr. Sullay Mohamed Kanu graduated with a PhD in linguistics in the University of Alberta. His academic fulfillment is special based on experiences shared by his fellow PhD colleagues, university professors, and fellow Sierra Leoneans living in Canada who spoke about his excellent work during the past few years necessitated me to do this write up.

Many Sierra Leoneans believe that Dr. Sullay Mohamed Kanu’s academic accomplishment is an inspiring manifestation of the high esteem he is held since the beginning of his academic journey. He made the right choice of career and focused on the essential keys of success and overcame all obstacles that would have hindered his progress to become a doctor of philosophy in linguistics.

As a journalist in the Diaspora, I believe that the strength and recognition attained by this young graduate with a Doctor of Philosophy after many years of struggle is a salient tribute to his persistence and ambition that are worthy of informing the new generation. Here is how Dr. Kanu’s journey made it to the top of the academic ladder

After seven years of primary school and five years of secondary school in the towns of Mathoir and Yonibana respectively, Dr. Kanu moved to Freetown and completed his Higher Teachers Certificate (HTC) in 1990. He later taught for some years at the University of Sierra Leone as research assistant.

As a honors student at Fourah Bay College, the university saw him as an asset and a resourceful student that can contribute to the advancement of education in the university. He was hired as a research assistant. There, Dr. Kanu excelled. Through extenuating circumstances, including the senseless war that devastated Sierra Leone; he continued to push forward to reach to this level. In 2002, he obtained a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in linguistics at Fourah Bay College whiles lecturing.

In his pursuit to reach the top, Dr. Kanu accepted a half-way sponsorship program to do another Masters degree at the University of Tromso in Norway. He successfully graduated with a Master of Philosophy again in linguistics in the university in 2004.

That did not end Dr. Kanu’s journey. His wife, Fatmata Kanu was a testimony to the effort and endurance displayed her husband despite enormous challenges. She, like all other faithful women, had confidence in her husband. With his fearless determination to reach the top, and his profound knowledge and experience found him in Belgium where he stayed for a while. It was in Belgium that lady luck struck when he got a scholarship to pursue his PhD in Canada.

During the convocation ceremony last month, at the University of Alberta, a thunderous applause vibrated the hall with dozens of Sierra Leoneans and Africans screaming and sounds our country’s name, Sierra Leone! Sierra Leone! Dr. Kanu’s two sisters, Mrs. Millicent Timbo and Zainab Kanu who flew from California to witness the graduation ceremony admired their brother’s penetrating insight of accomplishment. “We are proud of our brother to raise our country’s flag”, Mrs. Timbo, former wife of Honorable Dr. Mathew M.Timbo said.

It has come to a realization that the migration of Sierra Leoneans into the Diaspora has brought a new level of focus – to achieve the highest level of education in North America. Dr. Kanu is surely one of them. One can recall that the dwindling numbers of medical doctors alongside the shortage of individuals entering medical schools and top notch professional trainings indicate a big problem for our country.

Many congratulations to Dr. Kanu whose lifetime dream has come to pass. This “from rags –to-riches” story, from village school to a first class university, makes us all believe in the old adage which says, “If you believe, you will achieve”. Let us all believe.

Meanwhile, God’s best wishes to you Dr. Kanu and your new venture. Bask in your new found glory!