IPNews-Monrovia: Ahead of the centenary graduation of the University of Liberia, the administration of the institution has earmarked two major projects; a printing press and a time capsule.
UL, which is regarded as the biggest and most recognized higher learning institution, was founded in 1862 as Liberia College and became a full University in 1951. It is a public institution funded mainly by the Government of Liberia. The University currently has four campuses: Capitol Hill, Fendall, Medical School Fendall, and Starz-Sinji Campus located in Sinji, Grand Cape Mount County.
Speaking at a news conference on Monday, August 12, 2019 at its Capitol Hill Campus in Monrovia, the Vice President for Academic Affairs at the UL, Dr. William Ezra Allen, said the school will break grounds for the construction of the printing press on August 22.
According to him, the month (August) has been set aside by the school as a โcommunication week.โ
Dr. Allen stated that the printing press, which is being earmarked to be constructed on the Fendall Campus, will supplement governmentโs support towards the school.
โThis is a business venture and it is intended to buttress the support provided by the Government of Liberia,โ said the Liberian educator.
Dr. Allen disclosed that the printing press, which is projected at the cost of US$700,000, when completed, will provide high quality services for the UL and the public.
Though getting the needed funding could appear somewhat difficult, the UL official remains optimistic that the goal will be achieved through contribution from the public.
He wants the public, especially alumni of the institution, to support the project by through its Liberian Dollars account #6101652192 and United States Dollars account #6101669741.
โWe are soliciting support from the public as we earmark this project, which is geared to augment governmentโs financing,โ said Dr. Allen.
Commenting on the time capsule, Dr. Allen said project is intended to preserve the history of the UL and other renowned institutions for the next generation to come within the next 100 yearsโ time (2119).
โWe will put in pieces of our own history into the time capsule. We will liaise with other institutions like Orange, LoneStar, as well as other public and privately-run institutions to get some important document on them. It could be their payroll, staff listing or other important information. We will put it in a box, and that will be unlocked within the 100 years-in 2119. Remember, as I stated earlier, the major goal of this idea is to preserve and transmit historical information for the future,โ he revealed.
On the ensuing graduation, Dr. Allen further disclosed that unlike previous years in which programs are held at the college level, the much-awaited 100th graduation convocation of the UL will be take place December 11 so that everybody celebrates together.
โWe are doing this not because of financial constraints. The reason why we are doing it one day is because we want everyone to celebrate the centenary together,โ he added.
The centennial graduation will be held under the theme: โMemory, preservation, and the way forward.โ
At the same time, the Vice President for UL Relations, Atty. Norris Tweah, said the school is seeking the support from a number of alumni from the United States of America (USA), Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and other countries, some of whom have already pledged their support for the construction of the project.
โWe are also reaching out to some of our alumni, who are in the public and private sector to support as well,โ Tweah asserted.
