College of Gender Studies and Interdisciplinary Research.

Happy birthday Mother. Condinitor. Hawa Cole Nimley
Happy Birthday to the phenomenal Condinitor of the College of Gender Studies and Interdisciplinary Research, Mother Hawa Cole Nimley. 🌟 Your dedication to empowering students and fostering academic excellence is truly inspiring. Your passion for education and love for your students know no bounds. As a pillar of strength in the college, your impact extends far beyond the classroom, shaping the minds and futures of countless individuals. Here's to another year of making a difference, breaking barriers, and nurturing the next generation of leaders! 🎂 Cheers to you, Mother Hawa. Happy Birthday Mother may this new year brings you God blessing and protection.

Happy birthday Dean Luopu Garmi-Blackie:

Happy Birthday to the trailblazing Dean Luopu Garmi-Blackie, Dean of the College of Gender Studies and Interdisciplinary Research, University of Liberia! 🎂 Your tireless efforts in promoting gender equality, empowering students, and fostering academic excellence have made a profound impact on our university community. Your passion for education, mentorship, and leadership have inspired countless individuals, and your dedication to creating a more just and equitable society is truly commendable. As you celebrate another year of life, we honor your remarkable contributions and commitment to the University of Liberia. Here's to many more years of leading with vision, courage, and heart! Happy birthday Mommy

Congratulations. & Appreciation
thanks to Dr. Layli Maarya President of the University of Liberia for gracing our senior research paper defence at the College of Gender Studies and Interdisciplinary Research! 🌟 Your presence meant a lot to our students. We also appreciate our faculty, especially our powerful Dean Luopu Garmi-Blackie, for standing strong and preparing our students for a better tomorrow. 🙏 Big shoutout to our panellists for their support and expertise. Congratulations in advance to our prospective graduating seniors - we wish you the best of luck! 🎉 .

UL Inducts First PhD Cohort in Gender and Security Studies

Capitol Hill, December 1, 2025— The University of Liberia (UL) on November 20, 2025, inducted its first cohort of PhD students in Gender and Security Studies. The ceremony took place at the Capitol Hill campus under the theme “The Future of Gender and Security Studies in Africa.”

The new program, launched within the College of Gender Studies and Interdisciplinary Research, aims to address critical issues related to gender and security in the African context. Out of 260 candidates who applied, a select number were accepted, including nine students who attended the induction ceremony in person, while others participated online.

The launch of both the Master of Science and PhD programs on July 3, 2025, marked a groundbreaking moment for UL, attracting representatives from the International Academy for Gender and Peace, the National Commission on Higher Education, and various educational partners.

In her opening remarks, UL's Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Agnes Reeves Taylor, emphasized the historical significance of this program for Liberia and the West African region. "This is a very momentous occasion in the history of not just the University of Liberia, but the Republic of Liberia," she said.

Dr. Taylor expressed her personal commitment to the program, revealing her own plans to pursue a doctorate in Gender and Security Studies. "As it turns out, I am also going to be doing the doctorate PhD in Gender and Security Studies. And that will be my second doctorate," Dr. Taylor added.

Dr. Tyoor Fredrick Terhemba, director of the program, highlighted the importance of gender mainstreaming in peacekeeping and conflict resolution. He noted the program’s goal to forge partnerships within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to enhance responses to gender and security challenges.

Key topics covered in the curriculum include the diverse experiences of gender during conflict, women's roles in peacebuilding, and the importance of human security. Dr. Terhemba elaborated, “In addition to all of these, the studies provide a deeper understanding to students and policy makers on what is Africa’s solution to Africa’s problem."

The event featured a lecture by Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, a professor of Graduate and Security Studies, who discussed current trends in Gender and Security Studies. He described the field as evolving rapidly, focusing on issues such as gender-based violence, humanitarian action, and counter-terrorism.

Dr. Audi argued that understanding these dynamics is essential for future policymakers and scholars. “The study of Gender and Security Studies in Africa is critical for promoting peace, security, and development on the continent," said Audi.

He added, "By prioritizing the experiences and perspectives of marginalized communities, and challenging dominant power structures and narratives, we can work towards a more just ns equitable world."

In order to fulfill the program's requirements, students must complete specialized courses including Gender Mainstreaming in Conflict, Cybersecurity Policy, and Emerging Threats to Regional Security. They are also expected to engage in interdisciplinary research and collaborate with peers in related fields.

The induction of this inaugural cohort signifies not only a leap forward for the University of Liberia, but also a proactive step toward addressing pressing gender and security challenges in Africa.

Happy Birthday to an outstanding scholar and inspiring individual, Vah Celia! Wishing you a day filled with joy, love, and celebration. May your special day mark the beginning of an incredible year ahead, filled with achievements and milestones that reflect your hard work and dedication. Here's to another year of breaking barriers, pushing boundaries, and inspiring those around you. Cheers to your birthday and your bright future! 🎉🎂"

𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗱𝘀 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 $𝟲𝟬 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗗𝗔 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗘𝗫𝗖𝗘𝗟 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁

The House of Representatives joint Committee on Education and Public Administration, Judiciary, Banking and Finance and Ways, Means and Finance on today October 22, 2025 held a public hearing with the Ministry of Education and key stakeholders on the proposed ratification of a US$60 million International Development Association (IDA) Credit to fund the Liberia Excellence in Learning (EXCEL) Project.

Opening the hearing, Hon. Nyan Flomo, Chair of the Committee, said the session was convened to critically examine the loan agreement in keeping with the Legislature’s constitutional oversight responsibility.

He emphasized that while lawmakers recognize the urgent need for investment in the education sector, the proposed loan must be justified and aligned with national priorities.

“Our role is to be stewards of the public purse. A loan of this magnitude is not a grant; it is a debt that will be borne by future generations. Therefore, our approval cannot be automatic—it must be earned and justified,” Hon. Flomo stated.

Making a presentation, Education Minister Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah explained that the Liberia EXCEL Project seeks to improve foundational learning across 2,337 public schools in all 15 counties. The $60 million IDA credit, she said, will also unlock an additional $28.7 million grant from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), bringing the total package to $88.7 million.

Dr. Jallah noted that the project aims to strengthen early childhood and primary education, reduce the education financing gap, and advance the government’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development.

The joint legislative hearing continues as lawmakers review the Ministry’s justifications before deciding on the ratification of the loan agreement.

The UL Family Strategic Planning Town Hall Meeting
Capitol Hill Auditorium | Oct. 22, 2025

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚, 𝐃𝐫. 𝐌𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐲𝐚𝐧, 𝐔𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐢𝐥𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐢𝐯𝐞-𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐔𝐋

The University of Liberia President engaged stakeholders this week across two campuses over two days, unveiling a five-year strategic plan to strengthen academics, modernize infrastructure, improve administration and bolster student success – an ambitious roadmap to lift UL into Africa’s top 300 university rankings by 2030.
Dr. Layli Maparyan presented her bold, draft plan entitled “A Victory of Imagination – Building the UL of Tomorrow Today” during UL Family Strategic Planning Town Hall Meeting held Monday at Fendall Campus and then Tuesday at Capitol Hill Campus to faculty, administration, staff and students, who offered feedback.

“Currently, UL is ranked 5,000 in the world and 502 in Africa, making it one of the lowest ranked in Africa, which we need to accelerate efforts to make it better,” she said.

President Maparyan said moving up in the continental rankings would reap a multitude of benefits, transforming UL, putting it on par with some of its West African peers and solidifying its flagship status.

“I want us to improve the ranking not just so we can say we did it, but because we’ll be a substantially better institution if we meet [the criteria],” she said. The criteria include continuous faculty research output, high graduation rates, a Phd-centric faculty, adequate financial resources per student and low student-to-faculty ratio.

But before UL can build up its continental reputation, its infrastructure issues are more immediate, Dr. Maparyan said.
“The first set of goals is infrastructure because your house has to be standing before you can do anything in it,” she said, adding that a research institution must have 24/7 electricity and unstable electricity deeply hinders the educational process. Her plan calls for electricity with solarization. “We are a tropical country. We have plenty of sun, so why not have solar power on all of our campuses? That is my No. 1 strategic goal, and I’m going to get it started.”
In addition to constant electricity across the University, the Infrastructure Goals also target the water and sanitation issues, the availability of campus-wide internet, and the full digitization of UL's academic and administrative systems.

The plan addresses five key areas — flagship status, administrative, student success, academics and infrastructure — with the various goals to be achieve between 2026 and 2030, the duration of the plan.

Some of the key goals she wants to deliver include achieving higher academic status with a vision to produce more faculty with terminal degrees, an efficient administrative structure that is responsive to the needs of the UL family, the general public, and a developing of new student success programs and rebranding the UL Flagship status.

Under the plan's Administrative Goals, President Maparyan wants UL to improve the customer service experience, ensuring that all those who utilize the Institution's administrative services feel good. The administrative goal also seeks more money both from the government and external sources, and enhancing campus security.

Additionally, under Student Success Goals, President Maparyan disclosed plans to enhance academic advancement to help students with their planning of major and minor, emphasizing that the needs of first-year students are unique. She announced that an updated Student Handbook will be released soon

While recognizing the Government of Liberia's increased budgetary support to the UL, President Maparyan, however, argued that the UL can attract additional funding to achieve its goals.

She named donor support, fundraiser among the UL family and alumni, obtaining grants through quality research, and increasing UL revenue through service delivery.

“Donors and others will be willing to support us once we do the right things,” Dr. Maparyan assured participants.

Meanwhile, a cross-section of participants, mainly academic deans, chairpersons, students, and education stakeholders who attended the event offered suggestions and recommendations to achieve the desired outcomes.

The various groups made recommendations on the different goals, but with different priorities in addressing them. The priorities recommended were infrastructure, academic, administrative, and student success.

President Maparyan said the plan remains unofficial until the UL Board approves it. She anticipates a full implementation of the draft strategic plan beginning January 2026, following the UL Board of Trustees endorsement before the end of 2025.

Happy Birthday, Student Georgina M. Duo🌟 Today, October 21, 2025, marks a special day - your birthday! The College of Gender Studies and Interdisciplinary Research joins hands in wishing you a joyous celebration filled with love, laughter, and all your favorite things. May this year bring you continued success, good health, and fulfillment in your endeavors. You deserve to be celebrated! 🎉🎂 "

Dr. Maparyan concluded Day 1 of the UL Family Strategic Planning Town Hall Meeting with emphasis on the Guiding Principles of the University of Liberia - the Five Es

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