The acting President of the University of Liberia (UL), Dr. Al Hassan Conteh, has provided a detailed update on the current status of the nation’s premier institution of higher learning
During a press briefing at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
Dr. Conteh expressed gratitude to His Excellency, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., for the government’s unwavering support for UL,
allowing it to address infrastructural deficits, enhance research capacity and ensure continuity in teaching, learning, and community service.
The University of Liberia currently has approximately 22,000 students, supported by 1,214 faculty members and 1,463 staff.
The institution operates across four campuses: Fendall, Capitol Hill, Health Sciences, and Straz-Sinje.
For the fiscal year 2024, UL operated on a budget of $35 million, primarily allocated personnel costs and operational expenses.
Dr. Conteh highlighted several pressing challenges, including governance issues, financial constraints, operational inefficiencies and infrastructure decay.
To address these, President Boakai appointed additional Board of Trustees members and tasked Dr. Conteh with leading an Interim Management Team. Key directives included:
Addressing faculty and staff salary arrears, renovation the university infrastructure
The Board of Trustees, led by Sister Mary Laurene Browne, completed a comprehensive search for a new president.
After evaluating 20 candidates, including 12 Liberians and 8 from abroad, Professor Dr. Layli Maparyan emerged as the top choice, She was unanimously elected as UL’s 16th President.
Dr. Maparyan, a distinguished scholar and administrator, previously served as Executive Director of the Wellesley Center for Women and Professor of Africana Studies at Wellesley College, USA. She holds a Ph.D.
in Psychology from Temple University and has extensive ties to Liberia, including serving as a Fulbright Specialist in 2010.
Her investiture is scheduled for Friday, January 10, 2025, at the Fendall Campus.
Dr. Conteh reported the successful completion of the second semester of 2023 and the hosting of UL’s 104th Commencement Convocation, where 2,685 students graduated.
The event featured U.S. Ambassador Mark Toner as the keynote speaker.
UL has also rekindled partnerships with international universities, launching programs like an Online Master’s in Computer Science with Georgia Tech and a doctoral program in biomedical sciences and public health in collaboration with UNDP and other partners.
The Ministry of Public Works conducted a comprehensive assessment of UL’s campuses, estimating renovation costs at $13.2 million.
While some repairs have begun, Dr. Conteh emphasized the urgent need for additional funding to address outstanding arrears and complete critical projects.
The university’s proposed FY 2025 budget of $42 million includes allocations for campus renovations, laboratory upgrades, and faculty salary payments.
A funding gap of $4.8 million remains, which Dr. Conteh hopes to bridge through government and donor support.
To foster better student relations, UL organized a retreat for student leaders, culminating in the signing of the “Fendall Declaration” aimed at improving student life and academic engagement.
Plans for enhanced student services and new infrastructure are underway.
Dr. Conteh concluded by reaffirming UL’s commitment to academic excellence and urged continued government and stakeholder support to maintain the institution’s legacy as Liberia’s premier university.
