By: Wilmot Konah
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Amid mounting public outcry over the appointment of Dr. Layli Marpayan as President of the University of Liberia, Dr. Elwood Dunn; A Retired Liberian Professor of Politics, Author and Consultant has termed the recent appointment of Dr. Layli Marpayan as president of the University of Liberia (UL) as a “Good Choice” for Liberia’s Most Prestigious Higher Learning Institution.
Giving his opinion on President Joseph Nyma Boakai’s appointment of Dr. Marpayan, the Veteran Liberian Educator stated that the appointment was made in the best interest of the University. He maintained that Dr. Marpayan is a trained and experienced academician, thus, she fits in the criteria needed to become President of the UL.
“I personally have looked at the training and experience of the newly appointed President and I think that President Boakai made a very good choice” He stated.
Dr. Dunn furthered that Dr. Marpayan needs to be afforded a warm welcome to assume her new role which he believes will address the longstanding crisis at the University of Liberia.
He argued that the appointment of a Foreign National as President of the University of Liberia has had precedents referencing J. Max Bond, Sr. and Dr. Kermit E. King as two former Presidents that have served the University as either Foreigners or of Americo-Liberian Descent.
Dr. Elwood Dunn lamented that it is a constitutional right for some Liberians to give opposing opinions to the appointment of Dr. Marpayan, but said, he strongly confides in her ability and that the decision of Pres. Boakai to appoint her was well advised.
He acknowledged that there are qualified Liberians who can serve the position, but stated that the President in his wisdom thought that the appointment of Non-Liberians Academician to stair the affairs of the University in this crucial time was important.
Meanwhile, in a bid to minimize the constant disruption of normal learning activities on Campus through protests and other non-peaceful activities, Dr. Elwood Dunn admonished the UL President appointed to at all times engage students and other concerned groups of the University as part of its extra-curricular activities to dialogue on issues of concerns and interests to them.
He outlined the provision of financial and logistical resources to the students as well as students-exchange programs as some methods that could curb habitual protests and crisis on campus.
Dr. Dunn spoke Sunday via Mobile in an interview with ELBC’s Varflay Kamara.
