By Bakah Derick  In a groundbreaking display of creative innovation, Neh Sandra Fongeh, a student of the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, National Higher Polytechnic Institute of the University of Bamenda defended her Bachelor's degree on Saturday, September 9, 2023, using a remarkable beans peeling machine. The unconventional approach caught the attention of faculty members,  fellow students and family members alike, turning Neh's defense into a memorable event. Neh Sandra Fongeh presenting her machine to the Jury Neh Sandra, known for her out-of-the-box thinking and passion for engineering, mesmerized the audience with her extraordinary project during the thesis defense titled: design and realization of a manually and motorized beans shelling machine. While most students opt for a traditional presentation or experiment demonstration, Neh's choice to showcase a beans peeling machine highlighted her unique perspective on problem-solving.

By Bakah Derick  The Fon of Nkwen has handed gifts of diabetic materials to over 100 children in his Fondom. HRH Fon Azehfor III handed the items at the Nkwen Palace on Sunday 3 September 2023; eve of school resumption. HRH Fon Azehfor III speaking ahead of the distribution  "We want all the children in this Fondom and subdivision to go back to school, whether you are internally displaced or a child from Nkwen. All of us must collectively work together to ensure that they all go back to school because they are the future... every child needs education." Fon Azehfor III told The Hilltop Mail adding that there are plans to reach out to more children if the funds are available. The items handed to the children include school bags, books, pens, pencils and rulers  HRH Fon Azehfor III accompanied by some of the kids, the DO for Bamenda III and Members of the Nkwenbere Fondom Education Committee  Fon Azehfor III, himself a teacher has used the outing to drum

By Burinyuy A. B As Schools resume today nationwide after a three-month holiday, the challenge of school infrastructure in Cameroon remains a major concern for education stakeholders. Thousands and maybe millions of children are out of school due to inadequate infrastructure. Dilapidated school structure in Mbelewa Nkwen  The lack of classrooms, furniture, water and sanitation facilities, electricity and internet connectivity are common. The challenge may not be only for Cameroon as UNESCO sources suggest that the lack of these facilities is the reason why over 30million children are out of school across sub-Saharan Africa. While local governments have specific targets, the African Union dreams to see children having access to education by 2030. Achieving such a goal will require significant investment in school infrastructure. Abandoned School Campus in Mbelewa Nkwen Calls for back to school have been common in the restive North West Region of Camer

Bishops of the Bamenda Provincial Episcopal Conference (BAPEC) have “reaffirmed their commitment to education as a basic human right that works to raise men and women out of ignorance, poverty and level of inequalities and ensures sustainable development.” Bishops of the Bamenda Ecclesiastical Province  The remark is contained in a statement issued at the close of the 75th ordinary meeting of BAPEC held from the 17-22 of August 2023 in Kumba. While expressing gratitude to all stakeholders who made it possible for students and pupils to study without any interruption during the 2022/2023 academic year, the Bishops have called on all “communities to work together towards the reopening of their schools, so that our children are not left behind while the world advances.”  Apart from the right to education, the Bishops also called for an end to the wanton killings, destruction of property, weaponized ethnic differences, the upsurge in examination malpractices in the

By Ngenwie Azeh S. Celebrated Social worker and women’s rights activist Christelle Bay Nfor has been honored in London- United Kingdom with an award for her work in women empowerment. The Award trophy and certificate were handed to the honoree on Friday 14 July 2023 during a high profile event in the Palace of Westminster, House of Lords, London UK following the recommendation of the Advisory Board and under Authorization granted by the Board of Trustees of the African Achievers Award.   Christelle Bay Chongwain Nfor displaying her trophy and certificate at the event  Accepting her award and honor, Christelle Bay Nfor, founder and Executive Director of the multiple award winning not-for-profit non-governmental organization, Hope for the Needy Association (HOFNA) Cameroon shared her journey and life story dedicating the award to men who work at every level to end Gender-based violence and others.  “I am dedicating this nomination to the men around the world who are partners

Guest writer in the UK Cameroon’s internationally acclaimed scholar and philanthropist, Prof  Victor Mbarika who is also founder of the ICT University, has  been conferred the Excellence in Leadership Award in London. Prof. Victor Mbarika in the UK The prestigious award was conferred on Prof Mbarika during a ceremony in London, United Kingdom on Friday, July 14th. The distinction came on the recommendation of the Advisory Board and Under the Authorisation granted by Board of Trustees. He received the award at the palace of Westminster, United Kingdom’s Houses of Parliament. The distinguish award is signed by Dr Susan Fajana-Thomas O.B.E, chairman of the African Achiever’s  Awards and Dr Tonye Rex Idaminabon, FRSA, who is Chief  Executive of the awards committee.  The award for the celebrated scholar and outstanding Cameroonian whom Prof Mbarika is, comes after the likes of South Africa’s Nelson Mandela; Tanzania’s Julius Nyerere; Burkina Faso’s Thomas Sankara; L

By Ngenwie Azeh The management of the Yong’s Educational Establishments have announced the addition of a Technical-Industrial Section in progressive Comprehensive High School (PCHS) Mankon Bamenda for the 2023-2024 academic year.  A typical school assembly at PCHS Bamenda  Talking to The Hilltop Mail recently, Yong Jacques on behalf of the management noted that the addition was to meet the growing for the technical and Industrial education in our community today and to continue the vision of the late founder Bobe Yong Francis which was to make quality education accessible for all.  Confirming the affordability of the tuition, Yong Jacques disclosed that the PCHS Technical-Industrial Section will be admitting both day and boarding students from form one to upper sixth for the new academic year.  To run in the extended campus of PCHS at Veterinary junction Bamenda, the new Technical-Industrial section will offer Building Construction, Electricity, Woodwork, Motor

By Nfor Nkfu Some examination officials of the Cameroon general certificate of education,GCE board have been suspended for involvement in examination malpractices. The officials of GBHS Isangele accomodation center were suspended following a release published June 9,2023 by the registrar of the GCE board Dang Dominic Akuh. The chief of Centre is top amongst those sanctioned. "The following examination officials of GBHS Isangele, accomodation centre No. 11233 are hereby suspended from participating in all GCE board activities of 2023 examination session as from today Friday 9 June 2023.They are Mr Tabot Eliot Tanka, chief of centre and five other examination officials namely;Osang Mbote Lawrence, Aboko Felix, Nkengfack Gregory, Anjeh Paul, Nguessa Fred." the release reads in part. According to the decision, "Mr Tabot is hereby replaced with immediate effect by Chief of Centre Mr Ekuna Michael Mbando, Mle 740322-L currently serving as senior discipl

By Awa Shiness Fongwi  Ahead of the distribution of the Paul Biya Higher Education Vision laptops for the current academic year, in the University of Bamenda, students from various schools and faculties who have been shortlisted for biometric registration assembled each day at the central administration of the university with the hope completing the required process.  Students queueing for the registration  Some students in the faculty of Arts who have successfully completed the process required for collection say they are looking up with much anxiety for the laptop as it will help them in their research work, project writing and typing of assignments. In an interview with Ndoh Timothy a student of the department of Philosophy, he is very happy to be part of the registration as the laptop will help him in writing his project, doing research and typing of assignments.  Just like Ndoh Timothy, Ngalle Costantin of the department of English says she is very excited as the lapto

By Bakah Derick  Recent moves by the family of Late Bobe Yong Francis have indicated their readiness to go the way of their late father in the management of their Educational establishments. The Hilltop Mail has it on good authority that considering several meetings held recently, the family is more than ever before prepared to preserve and safeguard the legendary intentions and character of their father late Bobe Yong Francis.  Students at PCHS Bamenda  Away from making sure that all his businesses continue to function close to 10years since his passing on in December 2013, both administrative and infrastructural moves have been made to ensure that all is moving according to the wish of late Bobe Yong in character and spirit.  National Polytechnic University Institute Bamenda has maintained an enviable position as the leading private institution of higher learning in the North region. Apart from just supervising the functioning, the family has taken up management roles in

By Colbert Gwain Benefitting from the highly competitive Japanese International Cooperation Agency, JICA, scholarship for the support of socioeconomic development, recovery, or economic stability of developing regions; the young law maker and emerging academic, Agho Oliver Bamenju of the Bafut/Tubah constituency, was finally found worthy in character and in learning to be awarded the prestigious Masters Degree certificate in actionable international development; with emphasis on good governance and sustainable development. Core subject areas relevant to the socio-economic growth and development of his constituency. Hon Agho Oliver Bamenju of the Bafut/Tubah constituency (in blue)  receiving certificate  The graduation ceremony that took place Monday 26 September 2022, was watched live by thousands of digital space citizens, family members and friends from across the world- using a zoom-link generated by the University. This was because the strict COVID19 restrictive measure

By Ignatius Nji In a bid to encourage more children to be in class and study in the new academic year, the tradition ruler of Dumbu village in Misaje SubDivision and some of his Subchiefs paid a visit to all the five primary schools and one of the secondary schools. HRM Fon Jebo Augustine Jang II took along books, pens, pencils, rulers and chalk for the teachers. HRM Fon Jebo Augustine Jang II handing books  This initiative which was appraised as very laudable given the challenging times, the Fon said it was thanks to some friends of Dumbu who put together some resources at the disposal of the Fon.  At every stop the Fon encouraged both teachers, pupils and the school authorities who were short of words in appreciation to this uncommon gesture by the Fon of Dumbu.  At the Government school Dumbu, the Headmaster complained bitterly of the dilapidated structure hosting pupils saying apart of the broken doors, the roof was giving way. He pleaded with the powers tha

By Nfor Nkfu Students and apprentices in Nebere, a neighborhood in Nkwen of Bamenda metropolis in the North West region have received didactic materials ahead of school resumption on September 5,2022. This follows an excellence award dubbed'Know Your Neighbour Education and Apprenticeship Excellence Ward Day 2022  organised  for children of Nebere Saturday August 27 by 'Know your Neighbor ' an association of common interest. The excellence award targeted primary school kids, Secondary and high school students, University students and apprentices. While students received books, pens and pencils, apprentices bagged home basic working tools. "Our first motivation as a neighborhood is the desire to promote excellence.We believe that when you appreciate work that is done,it encourages those who are slack as well as gives courage to those who are struggling and those who are performing to do better" said Wirsiy Elvis, chairman of the organizing c