Sierra Leone Colonel graduates from China Defense University By John Baimba Sesay, PA, China A Sierra Leonean Colonel, Michael M Samura on Friday 12th July 2013 joined dozens of other colleagues from different countries around the world, when he graduated from the College of Defence Studies, National Defence University of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, with both an Advanced Diploma in Defence and Strategic Studies, and Master’s Degree in Defence Strategy. His admission to the program came after passing an entrance examination. This is the first time a Master’s Degree program is being affiliated with the course and Col Samura is among the first candidates to undertake the program. With other 93 senior military officers from different countries around the globe also graduating, this is the 30th Defence and Strategic Studies Course at the National Defiance University of the People’s Liberation Army of China. Speaking after receiving his certificate from the National Defence University of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, Col Samura said this latest knowledge acquired will certainly serve as a big boost to the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces as he shall be going back home, “well enriched with a wealth of knowledge in Strategic Thinking” which will greatly enhance his job at the strategic level of the force or wherever he will be assigned, upon his return. Col Samura has been a dedicated officer of the Sierra Leone Armed Force, which he joined in November 1988, after graduating with a Higher Teachers’ Certificate. He did his Junior Staff Course in Ghana in 1994; Company Command Course in Nigeria in 1995 and Senior Command & Staff Course in Ghana again in 2005/2006. He also did a Disarmament, Demobilization & Reintegration (DDR) Course & International Peace Support Operations (IPSO) Course at Kofi Anan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in Ghana. Col Samura holds a Post- Graduate Diploma in Public Administration from the Ghana Institute of Management & Public Administration. He has held several command and staff appointments at various levels including in the RSLAF, Battalion Adjutant, Company Commander, Brigade Deputy Chief of Staff, Brigade Chief of Staff, Battalion Commander, Training Commandant, Brigade Commander and Director of Personnel. He participated in Togo as ECOWAS Election Observer in March 2010 and in Peacekeeping Operations in the United Nation-African Union Mission in Darfur- UNAMID (Sudan) in 2011/2012 as Chief, Civil/Military Cooperation (CIMIC) at the Force HQs. Prior to his departure for the People’s Republic of China to pursue this latest course, Col Samura briefly held the appointment of Director of Public Relations & Information. His interest is further research in Military Building in Developing Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Support by the Chinese Government to Sierra Leone has not only been limited to areas of infrastructure, and support to government programs, but also in building the country’s human resource capacity. In the areas of support to the RSLAF, every year, officers are given scholarships to pursue courses in different disciplines.
Posted on: Sun, 14 Jul 2013 09:05:41 +0000
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