Africa-Press – Liberia. The University of Liberia (UL) has held a one-day validation workshop for its proposed PhD program in Education.
The validation workshop was held in the Auditorium of the University’s Capitol Hill campus on Tuesday, October 3, 2023.
It brought together UL officials and the Minister of Education, Prof. Dr. D. Ansu Sonii, foreign and local partners, officials from other universities, students, and the faculty, among others.
When launched, the four-year Ph.D. program will offer Education Administration, Curriculum and Instruction, and Measurements and Evaluation.
Those wanting to enroll in the program without a degree in Education will spend an extra year before enrolling in the four-year program.
During the validation workshop, the Dean of the William V.S. Tubman College of Education at the University of Liberia, Dr. Cecelia Cassell explained that the Education Administration will provide people with the administrative skills and competence to help move the system forward.
She added that it will further give them a strong background in research to prepare learners to assume leadership roles in educational institutions, among others.
The President of the University of Liberia Prof. Dr. Julius Julukon Sarwolo Nelson, Jr., said the gathering presented a critical juncture in the University’s history in working to shift the future of education in Liberia and beyond.
“The development of this PhD program has been a labour of love, collaborative endeavor driven by [a] passionate, dedicated team of educators and scholars,” said Dr. Nelson.
He hailed the UL Faculty members and technical team for devoting countless hours in crafting a curriculum that is not only academically robust, but also deeply atoned to the unique challenges and opportunities in the field of education.
Dr. Nelson stated that the PhD program in Education is designed to empower students with knowledge, skills, ability, and the vision needed to navigate the complexity of the 21st century.
Beside the PhD in Education program, Dr. Nelson said he has been informed by the Vice President for Graduate Studies, Dr. Jonathan C. Taylor, that the University cabinet has already received the PhD program in Public Health and Biomedical Sciences.
He detailed that before the end of October 2023, UL will inform the National Commission on Higher Education about its readiness to venture into offering terminal degrees.
Earlier, Dr. Jonathan C. Taylor appreciated the Nigerian Government for providing five Professors to teach in this program, adding that they are scheduled to be deployed to UL in January 2024.
He said the Doctoral Program in Education is one of three terminal degree programs to be rolled out by the University of Liberia over the course of the next two academic years.
He named the other two as the Biomedical Sciences and Public Health with concentration in Epidemiology as well as Public and International Affairs.
Dr. Taylor detailed that the goal is the production of experts and scientists who will help provide new and innovative answers to persistent questions of national development.
“We must summon the courage! I know there might be some who are pondering, why start a PhD program at this time given the numerous constraints? While we appreciate this concern, the truth of the matter is, after 160 years, IF NOT NOW, THEN WHEN?” Dr. Taylor asked.
He stated that life is about a process, suggesting that you must begin and then continue to build.
Meanwhile, Dr. Taylor recommended that the Liberian Government considers making specific allocation in successive budgets to sustain research in doctoral programs at UL.
He also said the University will look out for the support of development partners and friends.
The Minister of Education Prof. Sonii, the head of the National Commission on Higher Education Dr. Edward Lama Wokeryon and foreign partners hailed the program and committed their respective supports.
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