-With Cuttington, AMEU and Nimba University
By Jerromie S. Walters
Monrovia, Liberia – In an effort to bolster higher education in the fields of forestry, biodiversity, and conservation, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through Higher Education for Conservation (HECA) activity, has signed separate Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with three prominent universities in Liberia.
The agreements, forged in collaboration with the Center for Excellence in Forestry, Biodiversity and Conservation (FBC Center) under the Higher Education for Conservation (HECA) initiative, aim to develop a comprehensive national curriculum tailored for the Forestry, Biodiversity, and Conservation (FBC) sector.
The signing ceremony took place at the Cape Hotel in Mamba Point, Monrovia, and included representatives from NimbaUniversity (NU), Cuttington University (CU), and African Methodist Episcopal University (AMEU).
Dr. Boakai Robertson, Chief of Party for HECA, expressed enthusiasm about the partnerships. He said, “This initiative empowers these universities to create a national curriculum that will not only enhance Liberia’s workforce in forestry and resource management but also promote gender parity and the development of green enterprises throughout the country.”
He emphasized that the primary objective of this collaboration is to establish a national curriculum that will enable the participating universities to launch degree programs in the forestry, biodiversity, and conservation sectors. Currently, Nimba University offers a forestry program at the associate degree level, while Cuttington University has a program in Environmental Science. Boakai emphasized that the new partnerships will facilitate the expansion and enhancement of these programs, enabling them to better serve the needs of the sector.
HECA’s initiative began with the University of Liberia and also aims to recruit faculty and administrative fellows who will undergo specialized training to address existing gaps in educational offerings. “These fellows will be equipped with the necessary skills to effectively deliver the curriculum areas we are developing,” Dr. Robertson added.
Embracing the Partnership:
In separate statements, the partnership was hailed as a transformative initiative aimed at enriching higher education in the fields by heads that represented the various universities. Dr. Jesse Mongrue, President of Nimba University, emphasized the critical importance of the partnership following the signing ceremony.
“This partnership is very critical,” Dr. Mongrue stated. “Diversity, equity, and inclusion must be integral to any educational entity. As one of the newest universities established in 2021, Nimba University is excited to be part of this initiative.” He accentuated the essence of diversity in education and asserted that the program would heighten the university’s voice and elevate its status within the academic community. “This initiative gives new meaning to the university and demonstrates our commitment to reaching unprecedented levels of academic excellence,” he added.
Dr. Mongrue also expressed gratitude towards USAID for their ongoing support in Liberia and acknowledged the role of NimbaUniversity among the eight colleges and universities sponsored by the agency in the areas of primary and secondary education.
Like Dr. Mongrue, the Vice President of Cuttington University referenced the long-standing relationship between the institution and USAID, which dates back to 1965. He said Cuttingtoncherishes the partnership with USAID, which has significantly contributed to its growth and development over the past two decades, and emphasized the importance of the newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the university’s future.
Similarly, the Vice President of African Methodist Episcopal University (AMEU) expressed heartfelt appreciation for USAID’s contributions. “We are profoundly grateful to USAID for their impactful presence on our campus and in our programs,” she stated. “This partnership opens up numerous prospects for us at AMEU, and we are eager to contribute our efforts to ensure its success.”
HECA:
The Higher Education for Conservation (HECA) is a USAID Funded Activity designed to build the skills of Liberia’s forestry and natural resource workforce to support the conservation and sustainable use of natural forest resources while advancing economic development, gender equality, youth empowerment, and the social inclusion of marginalized and vulnerable populations.
This will be accomplished by strengthening Liberian higher education institutions to offer coherent forestry, biodiversity, and conservation (FBC) curricula and defined co-curricular activities that will build the knowledge of professionals in forestry, biodiversity, and conservation to develop the workforce in soft skills needed to work effectively with diverse stakeholders. These activities depend on effective socialization and active buy-in among key stakeholder groups to build commitment to sustainable landscapes.
