Harper, Maryland – The CEO and Commissioner of the Liberia Maritime Authority, Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe Sr., has urged Tubman University students to see education as an essential tool for solving problems and transforming the country. He made the call during William V.S. Tubman University’s 16th Opening Convocation.
The August 26 celebration highlighted the university’s importance in offering top-notch postsecondary education in southeast Liberia by commemorating its transformation from a tiny technical college to a comprehensive institution with six colleges.
The convocation, which had as its theme “The Power of Visionary Thinking: Unlocking Potentials and Inspiring Future Success,” was an appeal for students to “dream beyond limitations, think boldly, and act with purpose,” according to Cllr of Lighe.
He stressed that education should go beyond earning degrees and urged participants to use their education to solve urgent problems in Liberia. He said, “Seek knowledge not only to pass exams but to solve problems and take initiatives,” highlighting important fields that need committed workers, like engineering, innovation, and infrastructure.
Cllr. Lighe, who reflected on his own school experience during the civil war in Liberia, encouraged children to overcome self-doubt by sharing a message of discipline and resiliency. “More dreams are destroyed by self-doubt than by failure. He counseled, “Believe in yourself, maintain focus, and face challenges with courage.”
Cllr. Lighe revealed that the Liberia Maritime Authority will finance two students to pursue Master’s degrees in Naval Architecture and Offshore Engineering in India as a gesture of support for the academic endeavors of Tubman University graduates.
He also disclosed intentions to provide 100 students with local sponsorship possibilities over the next three years, as well as more scholarships for postgraduate study at Ghana’s Regional Maritime University.
In addition, Cllr. Lighe challenged students to take charge of their education by saying, “Your vision is the color, and your education is the brush.” Liberia’s future as much as yours will be shaped by the paintings you create.
