By Sallieu S. Kanu
Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, has described her participation at the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81) as a “whirlwind of learning, connection, movement and reflection,” emphasizing the need for stronger partnerships, innovation and skills development to transform education and create opportunities for young people.
In a reflective statement posted on her Facebook page, Dr. Wurie said the week-long engagements were not defined merely by the number of meetings attended, but by the meaningful exchanges, partnerships and ideas that emerged from them.
Through engagements organized by the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), the minister participated in discussions on education in the age of artificial intelligence, the future of learning and innovative approaches to education financing.
According to her, the conversations reinforced her belief that transforming education requires more than good intentions.
“Transforming education takes more than good intentions. It requires new thinking, strong partnerships, honest conversations and the courage to try different approaches,” she stated.
Dr. Wurie also attended President Julius Maada Bio’s address to the UN General Assembly, highlighting a key message from the President that linked education and skills development to peacebuilding.
Quoting the President’s statement that “Jobs, skills and dignity are therefore part of any serious policy for peace,” she said the message aligns closely with the mandate of the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education.
The minister further praised President Bio’s call for the United Nations to appoint its first woman Secretary-General, noting that the world body had gone 80 years without a woman occupying its highest office.
“As a woman in leadership, and as someone who believes deeply in creating opportunities for women and girls, I found that particularly meaningful,” she noted.
Dr. Wurie stressed that education systems must move beyond simply graduating students and instead prepare young people for life and work by equipping them with practical skills, creativity, innovation and confidence.
She said President Bio’s remarks on Africa’s critical minerals, local processing, technology transfer and industrial development underscored the important role of education in driving economic transformation.
To achieve this vision, she called for stronger linkages between education and industry, increased investment in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and higher education, as well as expanded opportunities in research, innovation, entrepreneurship and digital skills.
The minister also reflected on President Bio’s call for the UN theme of “FOR ALL” to be translated into tangible outcomes, urging policymakers to ensure that development opportunities reach rural women, persons with disabilities, skills trainees, students in science and engineering, graduates and aspiring entrepreneurs.
Beyond formal meetings, Dr. Wurie said some of the most productive engagements took place during informal interactions over breakfast, lunch and dinner, where key partnerships were advanced.
She disclosed that discussions with Agilix Labs partners focused on plans to establish a Community Learning Centre at Freetown Polytechnic, while talks with Dr. Elijah Bach of the Bach Family Foundation and Trust explored opportunities to train parent counsellors to support child development and strengthen social services.
The minister also highlighted her participation in engagements at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, describing the experience as an opportunity for reflection, problem-solving and continued learning.
“Leadership is also about making time to pause, listen, question ourselves and keep learning,” she stated.
Dr. Wurie said the week concluded with participation in the Civic Day Town Hall organized by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, where government officials engaged directly with citizens on their concerns, aspirations and expectations.
She described the event as a fitting reminder that governance and development efforts must remain focused on the needs of ordinary Sierra Leoneans.
Concluding her reflections, the minister said UNGA 81 left her with renewed energy, fresh perspectives and a deeper sense of responsibility.
She emphasized that the work of the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education extends beyond classrooms, laboratories and institutions, noting that it is fundamentally about expanding opportunities, promoting dignity and helping citizens realize their full potential.
“‘FOR ALL’ cannot simply be words at the end of a UN theme. It has to be something we can see and feel in the lives of our people,” she said.