TwR Spotlight: Beyond the Title – The Influence and Impact of Ing. Sebay J.B Koroma

 

In Sierra Leone’s growing landscape of innovation and education, one name shines brightly: Ing. Mrs. Sebay J.B. Koroma. She is not only a distinguished engineer but also a passionate advocate for STEM education, embodying the belief that “we rise by lifting others.”

From the lecture halls of Coventry University, UK, where she earned her MSc with Distinction in Petroleum and Environmental Technology, to the prestigious Saïd Business School at Oxford, where she sharpened her leadership skills, Ing. Koroma has consistently pursued excellence. Her credentials as a Project Management Professional (PMP)®️ further highlight her ability to blend technical expertise with strategic leadership.

Her career is not confined to technical achievements alone. As Conference Secretary of the Sierra Leone Institution of Engineers, she plays a pivotal role in shaping the engineering profession nationally. Yet, her entrepreneurial spirit also shines through her venture, SM Gift Emporium, proving that versatility and innovation can coexist.

Ing. Koroma’s impact extends far beyond Sierra Leone. As a TechWomen 2018 Fellow and former Next Einstein Forum Ambassador (2019–2021), she has represented her Sierra Leone on international platforms, championing the role of women in science and technology. These experiences have amplified her voice as a global advocate for diversity in STEM.

One of her most profound contributions lies in mentorship. Over the years, she has guided more than 20 young women through their secondary and tertiary education, many of whom are now thriving STEM professionals. Her dedication to nurturing talent is not just about education—it’s about opening doors, instilling confidence, and building futures.

True to her philosophy, Ing. Koroma thrives on collaboration. She partners with organizations to promote digital literacy and STEM education, ensuring that opportunities reach underserved communities. Her work reflects a deep conviction that progress is collective, and empowerment multiplies when shared.

Ing. Mrs. Sebay J.B. Koroma’s story is one of resilience, leadership, and service. She is proof that technical brilliance can walk hand in hand with compassion and that true success is measured not only by personal achievement but by the lives uplifted along the way.

Her journey continues to inspire a generation of Sierra Leonean youth, especially young women who now see STEM not as a distant dream but as a tangible path to empowerment.

TwR Spotlight: Building Strength Beyond Structures with Janice John

​For Janice John, becoming a civil engineer didn’t start in a classroom. It started at home.

As a child, she lived with her aunties. One of them was studying engineering, and that alone was enough to spark something in her. She remembers watching her aunt move around with a drawing board, carefully working on what she describes as “fantastic” engineering drawings. There was something about it that pulled her in.

That curiosity stayed.

But choosing engineering was not the easiest path, especially as a woman. Everywhere she turned, there were comments:

“Engineering is too tough.”

“It’s a male-dominated field.”

“It’s not for women.”

For Janice, those words didn’t discourage her. If anything, they did the opposite.

“I’ve always liked challenges,” she says. And that mindset became the foundation of her journey.

At Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, Janice quickly realized that passion alone was not enough. Engineering demanded everything, time, energy, and mental strength.

One of her toughest moments came during the transition from third year to fourth year. To move forward, she had to pass all her modules, about 26 in total.

“It was overwhelming,” she admits. “There was a point I told my friends, ‘I just want to give up. I don’t want to continue anymore.’”

But she didn’t stop.

What helped her push through was the people around her. She studied with a group of patient and supportive peers who didn’t just focus on themselves. They organized tutorials, created study sessions, and even opened their homes as safe spaces to learn together.

That environment made a difference.

“It wasn’t just about studying. It was about encouragement,” she says.

Before even graduating, Janice stepped into the real world through an internship at a private consultancy firm. There, she found herself as the only female engineer.

And then came one of her most unforgettable experiences.

She was assigned to inspect 12 different sites for a major project in the Port Loko District. It wasn’t a simple task. She had to travel with a contractor on a motorbike, moving from one site to another.

In one day, she covered 10 sites.

“I was tired, hungry, and completely drained,” she recalls.

There were still 2 sites left—located deep in a village, about two hours away. At that point, she couldn’t go on.

“I refused. I just couldn’t continue,” she says.

She ended up sitting at the local park, overwhelmed, and she cried.

It was a moment of exhaustion but also a moment of truth.

Engineering was not just about drawings anymore. It was physical, demanding, and sometimes lonely. But it also required strength beyond skill.

Through every challenge, Janice has built more than structures—she has built character.

She speaks strongly about persistence and consistency.

“You have to keep going. If you say you’ll do something, follow through.”

She believes in having a go-getter mindset, taking responsibility, showing up, and sometimes making sacrifices just to grow and learn.

On-site, she learned the importance of emotional control.

“There are times workers will try to frustrate you. You have to stay calm and take charge.”

But one lesson she holds close is humility.

“Be on board with the laborers. They know a lot. You can learn from them,” she says.

Janice is clear about one thing: engineering is not just for men.

“This field is for everyone,” she says. “Don’t limit yourself.”

Her advice is simple but powerful:

“If others can do it, I can too.”

She believes success doesn’t always come the same way for everyone—but with persistence, it will come.

For Janice John, engineering is more than a profession. It’s a journey of resilience, growth, and self-belief.

From a young girl inspired by her aunt’s drawings to a woman navigating construction sites and real-world pressure, her story is one of quiet strength.

And she’s still building.