Completing a university degree with first-class honours is a significant milestone, but for Sheku Osman Swaray, the journey toward professional excellence has been further strengthened through practical experience in preserving Sierra Leone’s documentary heritage.
The young Records Management and Information Science graduate from Fourah Bay College (FBC), University of Sierra Leone, has successfully concluded a four-month internship as a Student Archivist Intern, a programme that has deepened his commitment to advancing archives, records management, and knowledge management across the country.
Running from February 9 to May 31, 2026, the internship was jointly implemented by Walk with Web and the Sierra Leone Public Archives, in collaboration with the Department of Information Studies and Knowledge Management at Fourah Bay College. The initiative also received valuable support from Susquehanna University, whose contribution enhanced practical learning opportunities for aspiring archivists and records management professionals.
Throughout the programme, Swaray participated in a wide range of professional activities designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world practice. He acquired practical experience in archival preservation, records organization, information retrieval, records classification, and the management of institutional knowledge.
The internship also exposed him to the practical application of explicit and tacit knowledge in organizational settings, enabling him to appreciate the critical role effective records management plays in promoting institutional efficiency and preserving national history.
Speaking after completing the programme, Swaray described the experience as one of the most rewarding stages of his academic and professional journey.
He expressed profound gratitude to Walk with Web, the Sierra Leone Public Archives, and the Department of Information Studies and Knowledge Management at Fourah Bay College for providing an enabling environment that fostered learning, innovation, and professional growth.
He also acknowledged the unwavering guidance of his supervisors, mentors, and lecturers, noting that their dedication and encouragement significantly shaped his development as an emerging records management professional.
According to him, the internship not only strengthened his technical competencies but also reinforced his understanding of the importance of preserving institutional memory and ensuring that government records remain accessible for present and future generations.
Swaray further commended the Department of Information Studies and Knowledge Management for producing highly skilled graduates equipped to address the growing demand for professional records and information management in Sierra Leone.
Looking beyond his personal achievement, the young archivist used the opportunity to advocate for greater investment in professional records management across public institutions.
He appealed to the Government of Sierra Leone, ministries, departments, agencies, and other public institutions to prioritize the recruitment of qualified Records Managers and Archivists, emphasizing that effective records management is fundamental to efficient governance.
According to him, many public institutions continue to face challenges in retrieving important documents, preserving historical records, and managing institutional information due to inadequate professional records management systems.
He stressed that employing trained Records Managers would significantly improve transparency, accountability, institutional efficiency, and evidence-based decision-making while safeguarding valuable government records for future generations.
Swaray maintained that strong records management systems are indispensable to national development because they support policy implementation, facilitate research, preserve historical evidence, and improve public service delivery.
He believes that investing in records and archives professionals will ultimately strengthen public administration and contribute to more effective governance throughout Sierra Leone.
As he embarks on the next phase of his professional career, Swaray says he remains determined to contribute meaningfully to the development of archives, records management, and knowledge management in Sierra Leone and beyond.
He reaffirmed his commitment to promoting best practices in preserving documentary heritage and ensuring that information remains accessible to support national development.
“I am proud to be an Archivist, Information Scientist, and Knowledge Specialist,” Swaray stated. “I remain committed to preserving our documentary heritage, improving access to information, and promoting excellence in records and knowledge management for national development.”
His successful completion of the internship stands as a testament to the growing importance of records management as a profession and highlights the need for continued investment in developing competent professionals capable of protecting Sierra Leone’s documentary heritage while strengthening accountability, transparency, and institutional effectiveness.