By: Washington Tumay Watson onewash9@gmail.Com
The Administration of the state run University of Liberia (UL) has disclosed that all is set for June 27, 2022 for the opening of Academic activities.
The pronouncement was proclaimed by the University of Liberia’s Vice President for University Relations, Cllr. Norris Tweah, and Tuesday on the State Radio in Paynesville.
According to him, the Administration closed the school academic activities to carry on some infrastructure development on the Capitol Hill campus and other campuses of the University of Liberia.
He named the improvement of the water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities of the campuses, the pavement of the Capitol Hill campus and painting of the building among others.
He said the Government of Liberia supported the project and they are now prepared to commence academic work.
But recently, the Faculty Association announced a vote of no confidence in the president of the University of Liberia, Dr. Julius Nelson for not supporting the interest of the faculty.
In their statement, the Faculty Association alleged that the UL President sided with the government through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning in valuations of the Code of Conduct by withholding 72 of their members’ salaries for double dipping.
The UL Faculty Association indicated that the Code of Conduct exempts them of double dipping as was proclaimed by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.
The UL Faculty Association disclosed that in addition to their vote of no confidence in Dr. Julius Nelson, they were going to boycott the opening of the University Classes which was disclosed by the Administration.
The UL Faculty Association indicated that their decision to boycott the opening of classes was due to the University of Liberia Administration’s inability to meet up with the Memorandum of Understanding that was agreed upon.
However, the University of Liberia Vice President for University Relations, Cllr. Norris Tweah called on the UL Faculty Association to reconsider their decision and seek the path of dialogue.
Also speaking was University of Liberia Vice President for Institutional Development and Planning, Weade Kobbah-Boley who noted that the Administration will not allow for the salaries of 72 faculties to deny the education of thousands of students to have access to their academic works.
According to her, the Administration of the University of Liberia will use those Liberians who have been trained and are capable to teach will take on the task as the Administration and those of the faculty Association find a solution.
She said the UL is not interested in dismissing its teachers, but they will not deviate from their code value to provide quality education to Liberians which is the human resource development.
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.