By: Trokon Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
MONROVIA – In a groundbreaking step toward inclusive education, the University of Liberia (UL) on Saturday, July 12, 2025, administered entrance exams to 13 visually impaired candidates seeking admission to its undergraduate programs—marking the first time in the university’s 73-year history that persons with visual disabilities have been included in such a nationwide exercise.
The historic exams took place at Lake View on UL’s Fendall campus in Louisiana. One additional visually impaired candidate is scheduled to take the University of Liberia Aptitude Test for the Graduate and Professional Schools on Monday, July 14.
This milestone, officials say, underscores UL’s commitment to the national and global agenda of inclusive education, with a promise to “leave no one behind,” regardless of physical or sensory disabilities.
The effort was coordinated by the Resource Center for Support Services and Alternative Learning, led by Director Mrs. Saydah Williamson Taylor. The Center supports UL students with disabilities and was instrumental in advocating for and facilitating this initiative.
Mrs. Taylor expressed profound emotion during the event, stating, “I can’t say I am overjoyed. I’m in tears. My staff are jumping up. We’re happy that the administration saw a reason to support this and let us try.”
The entrance exam was made possible through a collaborative effort between the Resource Center and the University Innovation Pod (UniPod) Liberia, whose Executive Director, Dr. Michael Flowers, had previously engaged with the Center to identify and address challenges faced by visually impaired applicants.
Inclusivity is a central pillar of the university’s strategic vision under the leadership of President Prof. Dr. Layli Maparyan. Upon approving the plan, President Maparyan empowered both teams to create a supportive environment for the special-needs candidates.
Ms. Stephina T. Warner, Director of UniPod, described the achievement as a major breakthrough for the university’s vision. “This is one of Dr. Maparyan’s goals—getting everybody inclusive,” she said. “We trained facilitators and provided them the technical know-how to support these students, including the use of gadgets and other accessible tools.”
Director Taylor emphasized the broader impact of the moment, calling it “a turning point” for higher education in Liberia. “The University of Liberia is the light in the darkness and the primary university for the country,” she said. “From today, our fear of ‘can we really serve this population?’ will reduce as we sharpen our tools and ideas to be more inclusive.”
If successful, these candidates will study alongside their peers in the same classrooms, although instructors may be required to submit course materials in formats accessible to visually impaired students, including Braille.
