Monrovia, Liberia- A consignment of textbooks on environmental studies have been turned over to the University of Liberia (UL) at its main campus in Monrovia.
The materials worth over US $16,000, were procured under the National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) Project spearheaded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with funding from the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
The text books are to be used for the new graduate and under graduate programmes on Environmental Studies developed, introduced and launched about a year ago under the NAPs project.
The President of the UL, Julius Nelson expressed appreciation to UNDP, EPA and Partners for the opportunity given especially to young people interested in Climate Change Studies.
Professor Nelson disclosed that over 120 students have enrolled in both the undergraduate and graduate programmes adding, that it was a key milestone of Goal 13 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and capacity development.
He emphasized that the UL administration will continue to explore all avenues and channels of resource mobilization to sustainably improve the relevance of climate change studies.
“Ideas, and projects will help generate funds,” says Nelson.
The UL Professor pointed out that the programme needs a fully functional statistic lab that will improve the research and technological skills of students enrolled in the programme.
Also speaking, the Governance Pillar Head at UNDP James Monibah, called on stakeholders, including development partners and private sector, to support the graduate program as an institution of knowledge, research and capacity building aimed at addressing the impacts of climate change.
Monibah acknowledged and applauded the partnership and collaboration with the EPA in implementing the NAPs project and supporting capacity building at the national and sectoral levels
He also lauded the leadership of the University of Liberia, for taking bold steps in establishing the graduate program in environment and climate change and for ensuring that the program is sustained beyond the project support.
“The enrollment of students into the Graduate Programme is a giant step forward in bridging the identified capacity gap in environment and climate change; and will support Liberia’s efforts towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),”says Monibah
Representing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Benjamin Karmorh who is the Focal Point on Climate Change Enabling Activities, also appreciated the efforts made under the NAPs Project to ensure that students interested in the programme now have another opportunity to advance their knowledge and skills.
Karmorh stressed that a dedicated ICT infrastructure platform is needed to improve environmental programmes at the University that will help build resilience, tackle environmental challenges and turn students into entrepreneurs.