Liberia: Tubman University enters historic Partnership with African American Universities
….Liberian Vice President Welcomes Initiative – By: Augustine N. Myers – The William V.S. Tubman University in Harper City, Maryland County-Liberia has again added value to education, with the Harriet Tubman Centennial Architectural Design Challenge for the Institute’s Future E-Brary.
President of the William V.S. Tubman University, Dr. Elizabeth Davis-Russell, speaking at the Program
Liberia’s Vice president, Joseph Nyuma Boakai speaking at the TU EBRARY PROJECT
Architectural Design Challenge Program at the Monrovia City Hall
L-R) Charge d’ Affaires at the U.S. Embassy near Monrovia-Sheila Paskman,
Vice President-Joseph N. Boakai, University of Liberia President-Dr. Emmet A. Dennis, and
William V.S. Tubman University, Dr. Elizabeth Davis-Russell
Students from the USA, and others at the Program
The E-Brary will have four wings, with dedication to a student development center, faculty development center, information communication technology center, and the main library.
Liberia’s Vice president, Joseph Nyuma Boakai described the Initiative as meaningful.
“We are very proud of Tubman University, and we believe that TU is one of the universities driving Liberia’s educational system to a technical level”, the Vice President asserted.
Vice President Boakai speaking at the Monrovia City Hall last Friday at the Harriet Tubman Centennial Architectural Design Challenge, commanded Administration of Tubman University for helping to transform the nation’s educational system in a more positive way.
“We want to say thanks for all the good things, Vice President Boakai extolled Tubman University”
According to him, success at Tubman University is due to the quality of individuals at the Institution. He further assured the TU Administration of government’s fullest support at all times in the educational drive and human resource development at the Institution.
Vice President Boakai also welcomed the visiting students to Liberia and extolled their resilience to come and contribute to the growth and development of post-conflict Liberia.
“This is while we will continue to strive for a peaceful environment”, the Liberian Vice President concluded.
Also speaking at the Program, the Charge d’ Affaires at the U.S. Embassy near Monrovia, Sheila Paskman said the Initiative is the latest shining example in a long-standing tradition of cooperation between historically black/African American colleges and universities in the United States and tertiary institutions in Liberia.
She stressed that the valuable linkages established between U.S. universities, including Historic Black Colleges and Universities and Institutions in Liberia, have been enhanced by academic exchanges of students and faculty of both sides of the Atlantic.
Madam Paskman commanded representatives of the U.S. universities and foundations for supporting the Initiative with Tubman University and the authorities at Tubman University for the unique and historic endeavor.
For her part, the President of the William V.S. Tubman University, Dr. Elizabeth Davis-Russell said though they sometimes feel isolated due to the distance and poor road network, the faculty and staff at Tubman University still remain innovative and produce the best.
According to her, they remain committed to the provision of modern and quality education, and the rebuilding of Tubman University to not only a pre-way status but moving beyond which requires new innovations.
Dr. Davis-Russell commanded all of the partners and friends of Tubman University for the support and promised that the William V.S. Tubman University (TU) remains committed to ensuring transformation for worthy service.
The Program at the Monrovia City Hall was attended by friends and partners of Tubman University, including Vice President-Joseph N. Boakai, University of Liberia President-Dr. Emmet A. Dennis, Deputy Public Works Minister-Christian Herbert, U.S. Embassy Charge d’ Affaires-Sheila Paskman, and the nine visiting American students, among other personalities.
The nine students accompanied by three instructors from each institution will be involved in a charette challenge at the TU campus for three days followed by selection of the final/semifinal designs by members of the Liberian Chamber of Architects and Mr. Nathaniel Baker, Architect/Program Advisor.
The young American architects will showcase their creative talents by designing a state of the art, futuristic and innovative learning center where e-books, as well as traditional learning materials will be available to TU and larger community.
During the program at the Monrovia City Hill, the students divided into three groups demonstrated their architectural skills through power point presentations.
William V.S. Tubman University (TU) has once again stepped forward as a leader in innovation. It has entered into a relationship with three historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), Howard, Morgan State, and Tuskegee Universities, with the arrival of Architectural students from three universities
The selection of the visiting students to Liberia resulted from a grand design competition during the 2013 fall semester of the three universities. Three design programs and students were selected for their creativity, innovation, environmental and sustainability attributes.
The vision started off as a means to assist the William V.S. Tubman University build a state-of-the-art 21st century library on its campus which was destroyed during the civil war in Liberia.
The E-Brary will be a learning center for the students and the community of Maryland County, Republic of Liberia.
The Project is organized by the William V.S. Tubman University Foundation, promoted by Marylanders for Progress (Liberia) Inc., donors in the United States and Liberia, and the U.S. Embassy in Liberia in keeping with the recently signed Bi-lateral Partnership Agreement.
