MONROVIA-Eight faculty members with an academic rank of Teaching Assistant at the Prof Amos C. Sawyer College of Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Liberia, will this February depart the country to pursue a doctorate and master’s studies in various disciplines at Sharda University in Greater Norda, New Delhi, India.
They include Mr. Richard R. Mensah, Chair, Department of Arts and Crafts (MA in Visual Arts/Painting); Mr. Solomon Marlee, Department of Geography (MA Studies in Geography); Mr. Jankai Abdullah Sesay, Department of History (MA in Modern History); Mr. Konah B. Ballah, Department of Political Science (MA in Political Science) and Mr. Boimah Coleman, Office of the Dean (MA in Bio-Technology).
Others are Mr. Matthem Gonmah, Department of Social Work (MA in Social Work); Mr. Henry Mulbah, Department of History (MA in Contemporary History); Mr. James Dweh Lotts:, Department of English and Language Studies, (Ph.D. in Practical Psychology); Mr. Smith Peters, Department of Physical Education, (Ph.D. in Public Policy) and Mr. Aaron Mansaray, Department of English and Language Studies (One Year diploma program in Turkey).
The eight faculty will join other colleagues currently in India undergoing master’s studies in various disciplines. Those in India are: Mr. Andrew Dean, Department of Sociology and the Office of Protocol, UL; Victor Senyon, Department of History (MA in Modern History and Lisa Win Edwards, Department of English and Language Studies (MA in English Grammar).
Additionally, seven (7) faculty members mostly Teaching Assistants from the Institute of Population Studies (IPS)/ Department of Demography of the Prof. Amos C Sawyer College of Social Sciences and Humanities through the World Bank Office in Liberia departed Liberia on January 5, 2023 to Accra, University of Ghana to join other four faculty members for a year Master Studies program. While Mr. Christine Washington, an instructor of the Department of Demography is in Nigeria to pursue PhD studies in Demography.
Considering the spirit of a truism, the Scripture did not miss its words when stated that cast your bread upon the waters and after many days you shall reap your benefits, equally so became a fruitful and resounding reality when in less than two years, the College has entered into several landmark Memorandum of Understandings (MoU) with five universities and colleges in Richmond, Mississippi State, America; Paris, France; New Delhi, India; Savannah, Georgia; Tilburg, Netherlands and Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Besides the MOUs, the Savannah State University and Tilburg University, the rest of the MOUs are signed by Dr. Nelson.
This unwavering dream to enhance the status of the University of Liberia (UL) among other higher institutions of learning on the globe is derived from the philosophy of the institution-students-centered-president, Prof., Dr. Julius Julukon Sarwolo. Nelson tied to his academic outreach crusade to elevate UL on a new academic trajectory enriched with widely acclaimed quality education, coupled with the academically sophisticated knowledge and wisdom of the faculty’s capacity, development, and student exchange inspiration.
These institutions include Sharda University in New Delhi, India; Hinds Community College in Mississippi, USA; Paris Graduate School. France; Savannah, State University, USA; Tilburg University, Netherlands and L’ University Charles Louis De Montesquieu (UCLM) Cocody, Abidjan, Republic of Côte d’Ivoire. While another Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Sawyer College and Rhode University, Cape Town, South Africa is being worked on for possible partnership.
Meanwhile, Dr. Ashok Daryan, President of Sharda University, New Delhi, India, and Dr. Josephus M. Gray, Dean of Prof. Amos C. Sawyer College of Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Liberia agreed to co-author a book title: Impact of Diplomacy Tenets: Liberia-U.S.-India’s Relations The Dean of the College, Prof. Dr. Josephus M. Gray on behalf of the College thanked the Vice President for Academic Affairs and extended the College appreciation and warm and sincere greetings the President of the University of Liberia, Prof. Dr. Julius Julukon Sarwolo Nelson for the numerous supports given Prof Amos C. Sawyer College.
The college, without doubt, is one of Africa’s oldest higher institutions of learning, and the second oldest higher institution of learning in West Africa, and first in the Republic of Liberia. It has been powered by continuous revolution and ongoing efforts to improve and provide quality education and to enhance students’ creative thinking and approaches toward contemporary situations through the application of quality education.
The report begins with a critical look at hard-earned achievements and beyond that, it discusses challenges that cut across every academic department and unit. The report concludes with recommendations.
The report, also contains illustration and data presentation, interpretation and analysis of statistics of faculty, courses, sections and academic ranks and age range of faculty.
The College has not deviated from its established agenda of social responsibility to the Liberian Society and the world to provide educational access to the citizens and other nationals across the globe. Since its establishment in 1862, the College has continued to confer BA and BSW degrees on its graduates every convocation period. Today, its remained attractive to students with an increment in student population. The College leads in females’ enrollment and doctorate degree holders across the various colleges.
Professional schools and graduate programs across the entire university. The college has a global reputation for outstanding academic achievement, research and quality teaching and serves as a diverse community where academic freedom is cherished.
For the current academic year, the College has 265 faculty members of which 228 (86%) represents males and 37(14%) are recorded for females. Out of the total 265 faculty, 168 (63%) represent Part-time faculty while 97(37%) is recorded for Full-time faculty. Regarding the age range, the bulk of the faculty-Full-time and Part-time falls between 45-55 (70%) followed by age range 55-70 (20%) while the least age range is between 30-45(10%). For the second semester 2022-2023, the College offered 157 courses which represent 679 sections with 443 offered at the UL Fendall Campus and 184 on the Capitol Hill campus while 3 administer in Sinje, reprehensively. Out of the 679 sections, 630 (93%) were recorded for Face-to-Face learning while 49(7%) represents online teaching and learning.
Further, the faculty breakdown for the period under review shows 114(43%) represent faculty with bachelor’s degrees of which 98(86%) for males and 16(14%) are females. While 134 (51%) is recorded for faculty with master’s degrees of which 117(87%) are males and 17(13%) are females. Regarding doctorate degrees, 17 faculty members are recorded and of that number, 14 (82%) are males and 3(18%) are females.
Interestingly, three departments: English and Language Studies (22), Sociology and Anthropology (10), Social Work (5), Geography (4), ROTC (3), French Studies (3), Religious Studies (1), and Arts and Crafts (1) are departments that offered courses for eLearning for the current semester. Based on the analysis of faculty assignments and course-offered instructional assignments, the unnamed departments and units did not offer any course or section online for eLearning for the current semester.
Unfortunately, Prof. Amos C. Sawyer College despite of having the highest number of Ph.Ds. holders in the University of Liberia holds the tiniest number of Academic Rank of faculty with a “Full-Professors, Associate Professor and Assistant Professor). Of the 265 faculty, only four (4) faculty hold the academic rank of a Full-Full and Associate Professor and Eight ( Associate Professors while 45 are Instructors Teaching assistants 35 (13%) and Adjunct 168 faculty representing 63.
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.