Urges University Teachers To Wake Up From Their Academic Slumber, “Create Knowledge”
PHOTO: Prof. Dr. Elliott Wreh-Wilson putting his points directly to his of fellow UL faculty members today
By Frank Sainworla, Jr., fsainworla@yahoo.com,newspublictrust@gmail.com
A prominent academic and Professor of Philosophy at the state-owned University of Liberia, Dr. Elliott Wreh-Wilson has strongly criticized the vast majority of UL faculty members who he says are not actively researching, writing and publishing books or other academic works.
Such writings are peer-reviewed.
“If you are not creating knowledge, you are not a teacher,” Dr. Wreh-Wilson told a gathering of faculty members, students and staff at the Amos C. Sawyer College of Social Sciences and Humanities on the UL Fendell campus today, Wednesday, December 10, 2025.
“This is serious. We cannot be copying other people’s knowledge forever. For us teachers, writing is a virtue” he emphasized.
Dr. Wreh-Wilson, who is President emeritus of the William V.S. Tubman University in Harper, Maryland County, blamed the current situation for the very low international ranking the UL currently has among universities in African and globally.
As the nation’s premier University, the UL ranked 5851st in the global 2025 rating. https://edurank.org/
The veteran academic criticized some professors and lecturers at the UL who merely boast of long years of experience in the classroom, “but have never written a book or paper (academic essay)”, ever since they obtained their Phds, Masters and other academic credentials.
“It is not how long you’ve been in the teaching profession. If you’re not researching and creating knowledge, the students can sense it,” Dr. Wreh-Wilson pointed out.
It is reported that in recent years, some UL faculty members have been pushing back on measures to compel professors and lecturers to engage in active research and publish academic works, something the Philosophy Professor confirmed.
“University teachers are first and foremost writers—discover knowledge, create knowledge,” he challenged his fellow faculty.
Speaking at the Sawyer College’s recognition and honouring of three office staffers, Dr. Wreh-Wilson welcomed a report UL authorities of a possible increase in the UL 2026 budget from over US$30-US$40 million.
But he asserted: “If you want your University to be recognized, you must research, create knowledge, write a book or essay.”
From his fellow faculty members, Dr. Wreh-Wilson directed his critique at some UL students who he said have the habit of not attending classes for most of the academic semester but only show up for mid-term and final exams.
According to him, some students are heavily engaged in plagiarism—which is an academic crime and others are totally relying on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to answer exams questions, when they ask to use the washrooms with their smart phones.
In a serious tone, the former Tubman University President said: “…Most of these people can’t write. They’re refusing to learn how to write.”
Recognition and honouring program
At Wednesday’s recognition and honouring program held in the faculty lounge, the Dean of the College, Professor Dr. Josephus Moses Gray hailed three staffers who he said were honoured for their commitment, motivation and exceptional dedication to duty.
While commending the three honourees, Dr. Gray called on staff of the Sawyer College, previously Liberia College, to emulate the example of the three dedicated staffers by demonstrative team spirit and commitment on the job.