Reaffirm Gov’t’s Commitment To Higher Education
Monrovia, Liberia – The government’s commitment to finance research, scholarships, foreign alliances, and infrastructure for higher education has been reiterated by President Joseph N. Boakai.
Speaking at the University of Liberia’s doctoral program luncheon on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, President Boakai stated that his government’s commitment is not only serious but also purposeful and deep. He said that efforts to support and invest in higher education infrastructure, research funding, and scholarships are in line with national policies or educational reforms to increase our nation’s human resource capacity.
He asserted that the University of Liberia’s PhD programs will contribute to the production of highly qualified graduates who can compete internationally, support scientific and educational developments, and aid in the country’s growth.
Speaking under the theme “Strengthening Research and Innovation for Higher Education Transformation in Liberia,” the Liberian leader said the program is a major turning point in the nation’s educational history because it improves the country’s research and intellectual capacity, which has a profound effect on the educational landscape.
“I want to stress that my government is very committed to academic excellence, research, and innovation.”
According to President Boakai, the commitments will establish the nation as a knowledge-based economy that will drive economic growth through cutting-edge research and creative projects. For this reason, the education pillar of the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID) emphasizes research, higher education, and innovation.
“Through agriculture, roads, rule of law, education, sanitation, and tourism, our overall ARREST Agenda which is currently being redesigned into our national development plan for the next five years seeks to promote sustainable human development.”
In particular, pillar four of the agenda recognizes that “Education is critical for the development of any nation, but our educational system is replete with many challenges that affect not just access but also educational quality and outcomes.” President Boakai disclosed that the doctoral programs will have significant and positive impacts in supporting and ensuring a sustainable implementation of the AAID. With this in mind, the launch of these PhD programs has coincided with a favorable moment in the development and revitalization of our country.
According to him, the initiatives may also draw experts and students from outside, turning Liberia into a center for study and knowledge creation. “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.”
In order to guarantee that these programs receive widespread support, partnerships, and accreditations, the President emphasized during the launch the significance of working with the private sector, foreign universities, and research organizations, such as the Consortium of United States Universities for the Support of Higher Education in Liberia.
“My Government will ensure that the necessary resources are provided for this ground-breaking capacity-building initiative through budgetary appropriations.”
The President also acknowledged the generosity of everyone who helped make the program a success, especially the UL Administration, foreign agencies and partners, and cooperating partners who helped develop the health sciences curriculum and made the initiative feasible.
As pioneers, President Boakai praised the first group of PhD students and reminded them of their duty to preserve the fundamental principles of the programs, which include accountability, intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and intellectual integrity.
Photo credit: Executive Mansion
