Monrovia, Liberia – The Government of Liberia through the Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung has launched the University Innovation Pod- Liberia (UNIPOD). Speaking Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at UL-Fendel Campus, Vice President Koon said the launch of the UNIPOD marks a significant step forward in the collective efforts towards digital empowerment and innovation in Liberia.
According to him, if Liberians will boast of a generation prepared to safeguard the future of the Nation, they must begin to train students and youth with the technological skills of the 21st century.
“As we gather to celebrate the inauguration of the University Innovation Pod, we must also reflect on the broader vision we have set forth for the digital transformation of our beloved nation.”
Vice President Koon said that the ability of Liberians to use innovation and technology to propel development, open doors, and equip young people to steer the nation toward a better future will determine how prosperous the country will be in the future. He stated that through the digital transformation project, President Joseph Nyumah Boakai promised a few months ago to teach 10,000 young people in digital skills.
The University Innovation Pod has just been unveiled, and I believe this area will play a key role in keeping that pledge. The Vice President went on, “This Unipod is more than just a physical building; it is a symbol of our commitment to giving our young people the resources they need to succeed in this digital age.”
According to the Vice President of Liberia, the Liberian Unipod is one of 13 Unipods that will be built throughout Africa in accordance with the President’s vision. It has a maker space, computers, and accessories with workstations to address issues in business, engineering, the environment, and agriculture.
He pointed out that Liberian Unipod Space, which provides cutting-edge facilities and resources for businesses, is poised to become a cornerstone of innovation in the area.
The Vice President bemoaned the fact that young people and students cannot compete for jobs in ICT and the expanding field of Artificial Intelligence without the necessary skills, and he stated that the government is dedicated to fostering an environment in which young people will acquire the digital skills that are in high demand worldwide.
According to him, education will become relevant to students’ digital lives when technology is used to bring them up to speed with the rest of the world.
“I’m worried about the technology divide that exists between young people in affluent nations and those in developing nations like Liberia. To close this gap and guarantee that our youth can compete on a worldwide scale, we must move quickly. For this reason, the official UNIPOD Liberia launch offers hope that we are sincere about embracing the digital era,” he said.
Vice President Koon expressed gratitude to the UNDP, the University of Liberia, the President for his vision and leadership, and all other stakeholders who helped make this happen. He said, “That is truly a visionary initiative which is worth celebrating,” and he called on other development partners to continue supporting our country’s efforts to undergo a digital transformation.
The vice president of Liberia stated that as technology is a crucial instrument for overcoming these obstacles, there can be no justifications for why children and young people shouldn’t be ready for what lies ahead.
Photo credit: Vice President Office
