NATIONAL NEWS
MONROVIA – University of Liberia (UL) President Dr. Layli Maparyan says her administration is prioritizing faculty development, gender equality and infrastructure modernization as part of efforts to position the university among the top 300 universities in Africa.
By: Trokon S. Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
Dr. Maparyan disclosed that only about 19 percent of the university’s approximately 800 full-time faculty members currently hold PhDs or other terminal degrees, representing roughly 150 professors.
More PhDs a Top Priority
She said increasing the number of faculty members with terminal degrees remains a major strategic priority of her administration.
According to Dr. Maparyan, the university has already expanded opportunities for its faculty to pursue advanced degrees through international scholarships.
She said three individuals were recently sent to the University of Delhi in India on fully funded PhD scholarships provided by the Indian government.
Three additional faculty members, all women, will soon travel to the University of Botswana on scholarships funded by the university’s Vice Chancellor, while another woman is pursuing a fully funded PhD at Duke University.
Dr. Maparyan added that 15 other individuals are already studying for PhDs and are expected to return to the University of Liberia upon completion of their studies.
Gender Equality Takes Center Stage
She said the emphasis on women is deliberate, noting that gender equality is another key objective of her administration.
“Taking together the two sets of accomplishments, more PhDs and more women faculty get us closer to the top 300 in fulfillment of the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development,” she said.
The UL President expressed appreciation to the countries and institutions currently hosting and supporting Liberian faculty members pursuing advanced degrees.
Beyond human capacity development, Dr. Maparyan identified the quality of university facilities as the third major factor needed to move the University of Liberia toward the continent’s top 300 institutions.
She said the university’s ongoing infrastructure initiatives go beyond cosmetic renovations.
“Renovation is more than zinc and paint. It is making things new again,” she said, adding that modernization must also ensure that university facilities and systems are aligned with current realities.
Digital Education Needs Modern Energy
Dr. Maparyan particularly highlighted the need to strengthen the electrical and energy systems supporting digital education at the university.
She thanked the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission, the Ministry of Public Works, the President’s Delivery Unit at the Ministry of State, the UL Board of Trustees and other stakeholders within and outside the university for their support.
UL Eyes Africa’s Top 300
She said the combined focus on faculty development, gender equality and modern infrastructure represents a broader effort to transform the University of Liberia into a more competitive institution on the African continent.
Dr. Maparyan maintained that the university’s ambition to join Africa’s top 300 universities will require sustained investment in people, facilities and modern educational systems.
