Monrovia, Liberia – A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a capacity building cooperation between the Ministry of Mines and Energy and the University of Liberia (UL) aims to prepare a number of Liberians who would revolutionize the industry and the nation has been signed.
On Wednesday, October 2, 2024, the Ministry in Monrovia hosted the signing ceremony that was conducted on Thursday, October 3, 2024.
On behalf of their respective organizations, the Minister of Mines and Energy and Acting UL President Dr. Al-Hassan Conteh signed.
Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Agnes Reeves-Taylor, Vice President for Institutional Development and Planning Prof. Weade Kobbah-Boley, Vice President for Legal Affairs Cllr. Viama Blama, and Dean of the College of Engineering, Mr. Hun-bu Tulay, were among the members of the UL Delegation present at the signing ceremony.
The goal of the collaboration between the two state agencies is to mentor individuals and give them chances in a way that will motivate employers to hire Liberians rather than hiring foreign workers. Dr. Conteh promised that the University of Liberia will do everything in its power to carry out the Memorandum of Understanding.
“We want to commit to you that we will do our part in implementing all of those things that the University has to do,” said Dr. Conteh.
He applauded the move and stated that the University of Liberia is the ideal location to begin this sort of collaboration as it provides training for the labor force and synergy for the education of subject matter specialists.
“I dare say the relationship dates as far back as maybe your professors, you know, Cletus Wortorson, Nathaniel Richardson, and others,” he indicated.
According to the Memorandum of Understanding, the acting president of UL said that the institution’s responsibilities include educating professionals and hosting conferences and seminars on topics that are currently popular around the globe in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In addition, he revealed that the University of Liberia would provide short-term courses, implying that “fees for service” are a matter that must be discussed between the Ministry and Mr. Hun-bu Tulay, the College of Engineering Dean, who is spearheading the initiative.
Dr. Conteh took advantage of the occasion to let Minister Paye know that the university has alliances with a number of foreign organizations. He mentioned the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Material Scientist President of the State University of New York Polytechnic.
“We are going to start a new Material Science program, and I trust that program will also benefit this MoU that we are signing today,” he stated.
He said the overarching goal is H.E. Joseph Nyuma Boakai, the President of the Republic of Liberia and Visitor, and his ARREST program.
The Ministry was reassured by the Acting UL President that the University will contribute to meeting the conditions of the Memorandum of Understanding.
The University of Liberia, together with his colleagues at the Ministry, made the event possible, and for that, Minister of Mines and Energy Mr. Wilmot Paye expressed his gratitude.
“By the way, capacity building is extremely indispensable. We can’t do anything other than just coming up with a partnership with the University of Liberia to be able to prepare the Ministry and the sector,” he said.
Minister Paye said, the Ministry has chosen to support this collaboration with the University of Liberia, relying on the University to aid in the development of capability.
“Because without the necessary number of workers, we cannot create and execute regulations for the Energy Sector and we cannot control the Mining Sector. When we have the chance to hire the greatest students who graduate at the highest levels, we want the university to help us by seconding persons to us,” Minister Paye stated.
According to him, the Ministry wants the brightest students to be given the option to work automatically.
Reported by: Prince Saah
Contact: +231778239813
Email: saahprince119@gmail.com
