By George Y. Sharpe
Amidst growing need for trained Liberian in the sciences, the University of Liberia has put out its latest batch of scores of graduates from the T.J.R Faulkner College of Science and Technology.
Serving as Guest Speaker at the 99th commencement convocation at the UL Fendall campus on Wednesday, the Director General for the National Public Health Institute of Liberia, Mr. Tolbert Nyenswah extoled the University of Liberia for embracing its responsibility by focusing on critical areas in Liberia’s development.
But the NPHIL boss encouraged the George Weah-led government to lean on the expertise of Liberian scholars to move the country forward.
He urged the government of Liberia to make use of educated Liberians in fostering the development of the country.
In an effort to meeting the scientific, technological and research needs of Liberia, the nation’s oldest College of Science and Technology on December 5, 2018 granted Bachelor of Science degrees to young Liberians in the fields of Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Nursing and Midwifery.
The occasion also witnessed an unprecedented proportion of the male to female graduates—with 191 females emerging out of a class of 360 graduates.
Mr. Nyenswah commended the Liberian government for placing education at the peak of its Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development and called on all Liberians to rally around their government for the good of country.
“This pillar clearly states as goal number one: to empower Liberians with tools to gain control of their lives through more equitable provision of opportunities in education, health, youth development and social project,” he pointed out.
He hailed the theme of this year: The Role of Science and Technology in National Development speaks to essence of the College in the nation building process.
Mr. Nyenswah lauded the graduates for their fortitude and expressed the hope that they will make significant contributions in moving Liberia forward in the areas of Science, Technology and Research.
UL President Dr. Weeks
Noting that a scientifically unsophisticated society ruins in poor quality in all sectors, Mr. Nyenswah branded this year’s graduates as the nation’s greatest assets desirous of support as they endeavor to further their studies to make impact on the global stage.
Named after a renowned engineer and politician, Thomas Jefferson Richelieu Faulkner, the College of Science and Technology was annexed to the University of Liberia June 1, 1974 and it has since been the preparer of Liberia’s leading Scientists.
Mr. Nyenswah commended the College for its immense contribution in the lives of individual families and Liberia at large in the sciences.
The Director General of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia commended the formulation of a public health curriculum, following a collaboration between his Institution and the University.
“It is satisfying to know that the State University can now train young Liberians in the field of Prevention and contribute more to better health outcomes,” Mr. Nyenswah noted.
He stated that the cultivation and development of Science and Technology is cardinal as it would foster infrastructural development and boost the Liberian economy.
There is no better way to contribute to national development other than education, the NPHIL boss added.
He charged the graduates to use their intellect to analyze complex ideas and think ahead to build Liberia.
“The world of tomorrow is about thinking ahead, creativity, technology, entrepreneurship and innovation. These are important facts that should be easily recognizable benchmarks of educated persons,” Mr. Nyenswah said.
The keynote speaker of the day said the fact that developing a nation requires much of a human development index and the capacity to be at a much higher level, educated Liberians are needed drive the development of the country.
The Dean of the College, Dr. Peter S. Humphrey applauded his faculty for their selfless approach to duty in the preparation of the students.
Dr. Humphrey charged the graduates to see themselves as valuable assets that could positively impact the economy of the country.
In her routine greetings to graduates and guest at the two-week long convocation activities, the President of the University, Dr. Ophelia Inez Weeks disclosed that a plan has been approved to add a Computer Science and Information and Communication Technology division to the College of Science and Technology.
Dr. Weeks said the University of Liberia has signed a memorandum of understanding with Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria to provide support for this latest development at the state run University.
She implored the government and other partners for the requisite support needed to make the approved plan a reality, noting that science and technology are critical drivers for the development of any country.
The expectation in products of the University of Liberia’s College of Science and Technology will only mount, considering the man in whose honor the College was named.
Born in North Carolina in 1869, Thomas Jefferson Richelieu Faulkner was scholar in the field of engineering.
He is credited to be the first person to introduce electricity, telephone and the ice factory in Liberia. As a public figure, he also served as Mayor of the City of Monrovia. This is the man the President of the University of Liberia is urging graduates of the College to emulate.
For his part, the valedictorian of the College, Julian Cooke encouraged his peers to live the motto of the University with integrity to bring dignity to themselves and the UL family.
Mr. Cooke, a product of the Biology Department, reflected on the rigors of learning he endured at UL and challenged students of the state-run University to not be deterred by the challenges they face during their academic sojourn. Reporter George Sharpe is President, Mass Communication Students Association, at the University of Liberia (UL)