…Commits To Academic Excellence
By: G Bennie Bravo Johnson I
President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, Sr. has officially Launchedthe doctoral programs at the University of Liberia to commence with the Ph.D. programs in health sciences and educational administration.
“Now, therefore, as the Visitor of the University of Liberia, I have the distinguished honor to launch the doctoral programs at the University of Liberia to commence with the Ph.D. programs in health sciences and educational administration. I invite all present to join hands and hearts in making this memorable breakthrough an impactful and lasting venture.”
At the launch which saw the University elevating its capacity to offer post-graduate education, the visitor to the University of Liberia, Joseph Nyumah Boakai asserted that the doctorate program is a significant milestone in the country’s educational sector because it dramatically impacts Liberia’s educational landscape by elevating intellectual and research capabilities.
“This program is a significant milestone in our country’s educational sector because it dramatically impacts our educational landscape by elevating our nation’s intellectual and research capabilities.”
The October 23, 2024 launch predeceased a symposium on relevant education issues on the theme “Strengthening Research and Innovation for Higher Education Transformation in Liberia”, the Liberian leader added that his government is committed to academic excellence, adding that the commitments will position Liberia as a knowledge-based economy that will inform economic growth through advanced research and innovative initiatives. “Let me emphasize that my government is very committed to academic excellence, research, and innovation. These commitments will position us overall as a knowledge-based economy that will inform our economic growth through advanced research and innovative initiatives.”
He revealed that it is the reason why the education pillar in his ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), highlights higher education, innovation, and research. He provided that the ARREST Agenda, which is now being transformed into a national development plan for the next five years, seeks to promote sustainable human development through Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation, and Tourism.
He continued by revealing that his expectation for the doctoral programs is to have significant and positive impacts in supporting and ensuring a sustainable implementation of the AAID, especially pillar four of the agenda, which acknowledges that “Education is critical for the development of any nation, but Liberia’s educational system is replete with many challenges that affect not just access but also educational quality and outcomes.”
Meanwhile, he intimated that the rolling out of these doctoral programs has come at an opportune time for national growth and renewal. President Boakai therefore reaffirmed his government’s commitment to supporting and investing in higher education infrastructure, research funding, scholarships, and partnerships with international institutions. He added that the endeavors align with his administration’s national policies or educational reforms to uplift the country’s human resource capacity.
“I therefore reaffirm my government’s commitment to supporting and investing in higher education infrastructure, research funding, scholarships, and partnerships with international institutions. These endeavors align with our national policies or educational reforms to uplift our country’s human resource capacity. This commitment is just serious but also deliberate and profound.”
He further asserted that doctoral programs at the University of Liberia will help build and produce highly skilled graduates capable of contributing to national development and competing on the global stage, contributing to scientific and educational advancements. The President added that the programs also have the potential to attract international students and scholars, eventually making Liberia a hub for knowledge production and research.
However, he warned that it will only be possible through collaborative effort as one government and blended expertise,efforts bend toward the objective of supporting research, innovation, and capacity building for enhancement of the nation’s development. “This will only be possible when we work together as one government and blend our expertise, efforts, and resources toward the objective of supporting research, innovation, and capacity building for enhancement of the nation’s development.”
Additionally, he stressed that the importance of collaboration with the private sector, international universities, and research institutions, including the Consortium of United States Universities for the Support of Higher Education in Liberia, will ensure that the programs offered at the University receive broad support, collaborations, and accreditations.
The Liberian leader added that his government will ensure, through budgetary appropriations, that the necessary resources are provided for this groundbreaking capacity-building initiative. “My government will ensure, through budgetary appropriations, that the necessary resources are provided for this groundbreaking capacity-building initiative. “
Let me now recognize the goodwill of all who have contributed to the success of this program, including the UL Administration, international partners, and agencies, collaborating partners that have contributed to the curriculum in the health sciences for making this program possible.
Let me also commend the first cohort of doctoral students and remind them of their responsibility as pioneers to uphold the core values of the doctoral programs, including intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, intellectual integrity, and accountability.
