PHOTO: (Left) VP Jewel Howard Taylor delivering the commencement address
By J. Peter S. Dennis, dennisrealone@gmail.com
GBARNGA, Liberia- The Bong County Technical College (BCTC) has defied the odds and graduated 80 students from three disciplines for the second time in its history in Liberia.
The 80 young graduates are from the department of Mining Engineering that consisted of three students, the department of Secondary Education (29 students), and the department of Agricultural Technology (49 students).
The BCTC is an offshoot of the erstwhile Dolokelen Gboveh Community College was established in 2010. The college assumed the name BCTC in 2013, and in 2015, an Act was passed to make the college a legal corporate entity.
It initially graduated 20 students from two departments- 14 from Agricultural technology and 6 from Secondary Education. Last December.
The historic event observed all national and international standards for conferment. The conferees, as usual, were full of excitment.
Dr. Roland Massaquoi, President of BCTC admonished the graduates to be transformational servants in the society.
He motivated them to see challenges as opportunities to transcend; calling on them to make impactful friends. He warned the graduates against complacency; as according to him, it limits success.
“Let me charge you with the responsibility to excel in the outside world as based on your class name. You are expected to fly the colors of BCTC out there. Don’t just sit and want things to accidentally happen! Make it happen with your efforts,” Dr. Massaquoi added.
Serving as the second commencement convocation speaker, Liberia’s Vice President, Jewel Howard Taylor extended her gratitude to the administration, thus describing the opportunity as rare in that everyone won’t have the opportunity to serve.
BCTC new graduates
She appreciated Dr. Roland C. Y. Massaquoi, president of BCTC for the service.
“It’s my prayer that members of the Bong legislative Caucus will unite for the forward match of the institution,” VP Taylor envisioned.
According to the first female Vice President of Liberia and also a founder member of the BCTC, they will lobby for funding to erect laboratory considering its nature of Technical College in Liberia, although she did state when and where underscoring the numerous challenges confronting the school.
Madam Taylor who spoke on the theme “times are tough, but you can make it”however highlighted the need for perservance if they must achieve fortitude and greatness.
“If you soar, you will reap. If you soar small, you will reap small. If you soar big, you will reap big. If you soar, you might not reap instantly, but it will reaped in the future. You can’t run from your destiny.”
“If you don’t fight for the things you want in life, you will never get it. Whatever situation you yourself in, don’t be deterred. Keep focus in life. There are seasons. Work while it’s day. There’s a destiny for everyone, and as you sit here, you have a destiny to achieve- make it into reality,” the Liberian VP admonished.
Madam Taylor was also awarded a certificate of appreciation by her scholarship beneficiaries.
Also in attendance was University of Liberia (UL) President, Dr. Julius S. Nelson, who like other speakers appreciated the leadership of Dr. Roland C. Massaquoi for the terrific improvement in the institution since his appointment in 2018 as President of BCTC.
National Commission On Higher Education pledges
Former Agriculture Minister of Liberia and founder of the Cepres International University, Dr. Morgana S. Flomo, Jr. pledged the National Commission on Higher Education commitment in doing more for the forward match and accreditation of institutions.
The Special Technical consultant for the National Commission on Higher Education also expressed the need for budgetary and logistical supports toward the institution.
He however called for unity amongst leaders of the county.
“Bong County needs to unite. Our leaders need to come together. Few years ago, they were united and we got BCTC, and now they are apart; we almost have nothing to show. If they were united, we could have had more than this. Let’s see how we can come together to promote this college,” Dr. Moganah S. Flomo echoed.
At the same time, Bong County legislative Caucus chair, Hon. Joseph Papa Kolleh concurred with Dr. Morgana Flomo’s ideas in reconciling the people and their leaders. He didn’t also state how and throu what means when he has been accused of not willing to unite the cactus since he took over chairman of the caucus.
Bong County Senator Prince Kermue Moye, who is chair on education at the Liberian senate, encouraged the vice president along with others, if the 2022 national budget is passed, use the allotted portion for BCTC to complete or repair the college.
Senator Moye said they have allotted five hundred thousand ($500,000) United States Dollars for maintenance works on the building; but according to the 2022 draft national budget, Bong County Technical College is captured at 1,347,685 United States Dollars with a 2023 projection of 1,042,788 USD as well as a 2024 fiscal year projection of $1,346,668 USD.
Dr. Daniel Mountwell, president of the Grand Bassah College, Bong County Superintendent, Madam Esther Yamah Walker, James M. Kolleh, the board of trustees Chairman, Kollie-a-gbo G.S. Karpu, other religious leaders, among others were all in attendance.
Background
BCTC’s goal is to create access to training in technical skills and undergraduate degree programs for inhabitants of Bong County.
The College’s construction is believed to be in the tone of US$7,604,926.97, but it’s not fully completed as there are ongoing works to complete the institution despite the challenges.
The tertiary institution offers a regular four (4) years to achieve the either of the following: Bachelor of Science in Mining engineering, Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Technology, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Science in Information Technology.
Since its establishment, the university lost two semesters to Ebola in 2014 and two semesters Covid-19. Also, series of protests from students of the university over the slow pace of the college facility also resulted to the disruption of classes for two semesters.