𝗧𝗡𝗜𝗠𝗔 T𝗼 Get 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗿’𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲 Status

Monrovia, Liberia-December 12, 2025: Plenary of the House of Representatives has voted to pass a bill elevating the Tubman National Institute of Medical Arts (TNIMA) to a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree-granting institution in selected health science disciplines.

The decision was taken on Thursday, during the 17th Day Sitting of the 3rd Quarter of the 2nd Session, following the submission of a detailed report by the Joint Committee on Education and Health.

The bill was introduced by Lofa County Electoral District 5 Representative Hon. Augustine Chiewolo.

TNIMA has long played an essential role in training Liberia’s frontline health workforce. Its request for BSc degree-awarding status is aimed at raising professional standards and aligning Liberia’s health education system with regional and global benchmarks.

TNIMA maintains that elevation to degree-granting status is critical for strengthening Liberia’s clinical and allied health workforce, supported by its existing infrastructure and long-standing reputation, reinforced by its academic partnership with the JFK Medical Center.

The University of Liberia, through the A.M. Dogliotti College of Medicine, provided the following views: it does not object to TNIMA being granted BSc degree-awarding status. TNIMA should not operate independently as a stand-alone degree-granting institution, TNIMA should not award degrees under JFK Medical Center, all BSc programs should fall under the academic oversight, administration, and quality assurance of the A.M. Dogliotti College of Medicine.

The University stressed that this approach would protect: National academic standards, Accreditation integrity, Curriculum harmonization, and the professionalism of medical and health sciences training in Liberia.

To harmonize differing viewpoints, the Committee—chaired by Hon. Prof. Thomas Romeo Quioh—adjourned the hearings and mandated the establishment of a three-day Stakeholders Workshop involving: TNIMA leadership, JFK Medical Center administration, Ministry of Health, University of Liberia & A.M. Dogliotti College of Medicine, and National Commission on Higher Education

The Workshop is charged to develop a blueprint that will: Define the administrative home for the BSc programs, establish academic oversight and quality assurance mechanisms, determine infrastructure and faculty requirements and Clarify the institutional relationship among TNIMA, JFK, and UL.

The Committee instructed that TNIMA/JFK and the University of Liberia be given three months to develop this blueprint collaboratively.

The Committee reaffirmed that while TNIMA’s elevation is crucial to Liberia’s long-term health workforce agenda, it must be: Academically sound, aligned with accreditation standards, streamlined to prevent duplication, Driven by national—not institutional—interest

The Committee reiterated its commitment to strengthening Liberia’s health education sector through collaboration, transparency, and academic excellence. Chairman Hon. Prof. Thomas Romeo Quioh affirmed the Committee’s dedication to responsibly advancing medical and allied health training programs.

Following deliberation, a motion was proffered and endorsed by Plenary, passing the bill and forwarding it to the Liberian Senate for concurrence.

Alphonso Toweh

Has been in the profession for over twenty years. He has worked for many international media outlets  including: West Africa Magazine, Africa Week Magazine, African Observer and  did occasional reporting for CNN, BBC World Service, Sunday Times, NPR, Radio Deutchewells, Radio Netherlands. He is the current correspondent for Reuters 
 He holds first  MA with honors in International  Relations and a  candidate for second master in International Peace studies and Conflict  Resolution from the University of Liberia.