(MONROVIA-March 23, 2009): Dr. Emmet Dennis, the 13^th President of Liberia’s highest institution of learning, the University of Liberia, has been inaugurated at a colorful ceremony held March 23 on the main campus of the University, with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf highlighting the significant role of the University in national development.

In an address, the Visitor to the University, recounting the institution’s role in national development, noted that despite the country’s turbulent past, the significant contribution of the University to national life has continued unabated.

The President regretted that the civil crisis has reduced the capacity of the University to generate and manage sustainable social, economic development activities in Liberia.  The University, the President said, also experienced extensive damage to its physical facilities during the period of war and civil unrest in the country.

The President observed that the challenges to restore the University to a quality institution of higher learning are daunting, but maintained that it must be done.  “Although we have destroyed and limited facilities, we must respond to enrollment that has increased from pre-war level of 9,500 to about 18,000 today,” the Liberian leader emphasized.

According to an Executive Mansion release, President Johnson Sirleaf pledged her administration’s support in restoring fully the training and research activities at the University to address the problems confronting the institution. She called on former students and graduates of the University at home and abroad, the private sector, the diplomatic corps, and other development stakeholders, to join in rebuilding the University of Liberia.

The Visitor challenged the University to assume a leadership role in providing research and analytical inputs to the country’s post-war reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts under the “Lift Liberia” initiative, otherwise known as the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS).

The President praised the partnership between the University and other higher institutions of learning in Africa, Europe, Asia and the United States of America.  She made specific mention of the support by the People’s Republic of China, which has contributed a grant of USD$22 million. The grant is now financing the construction of a new University campus at Fendall.

The Liberian leader also expressed Government’s gratitude to the United States for preparing and equipping the Engineering Building at Fendall.

The President also welcomed a 4 million Euros grant from the Government of Italy to be used to assist the reconstruction of the A.M. Dogliotti College of Medicine at the University of Liberia.

President Johnson Sirleaf urged all concerned to play their part in ensuring that the University produces graduates that can compete professionally anywhere in the world.

Source: Executive Mansion Press - Monrovia

UL's new president, Dennis being robed  at his inauguration March 23rd

UL's new president, Dr. Dennis speaking at his inauguration in Monrovia

Liberian President hands over the gavel of authority of the University of Liberia to its newly inaugurated president, Dr. Emmet Dennis on March 23rd in Monrovia