The University of Liberia (UL) has honored 64 faculty members across various academic departments and programs in continuation of the UL 104th Commencement Convocation exercises. The program, held last week, was a special recognition of faculty authors who have published research articles in peer-reviewed journals for Academic Year 2022/2023; with a few dedicated faculty and staff members receiving certificates of honor at the ceremony.
The honorees include 22 dedicated faculty members and 42 faculty authors. Research topics covered various disciplines and focused primarily on addressing major thematic areas of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Liberia’s energy, social, economic, environmental, and climate change challenges, and recommendations to solve them.
Associate Professor Abdulfatah Abdu Yusuf of the Mechanical Engineering Department was recognized for emerging as the faculty with the most publications of sixteen articles in notable peer-reviewed journals.
He was also awarded in 2023 as the most published faculty with fourteen articles published. Some of his publications include “A comprehensive review of Liberia’s energy scenario, advancing energy access, sustainability, and policy implications,” “Race towards net zero emissions,” and “Role of negative emission technologies in South Africa pathway to net zero emission,” among others.
The Executive Director of the Office of Diaspora and Migration Studies at the UL, and former Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. William Ezra Allen, said the scholastic and honoring program for the faculty is befitting because they have fulfilled an important feat in academia by publishing important research articles.
“This occasion is appropriately called the scholastic and honoring program because these authors have fulfilled one of the cardinal pillars of academia. That pillar is the production of knowledge,” Dr. Allen stated.
Dr. Allen could not hold back his excitement about how the UL faculty members have excelled in conducting research and engaging in peer-reviewed publications as compared to the past when it was just a few faculty members undertaking research. “As I look at the publications here and hold to the fact that it was inaugurated [scholastic and honoring program] three years ago, I was quite impressed,” Dr. Allen mentioned.
He however urged the faculty to engage in more research and publication and similarly encouraged other members to emulate the examples of their colleagues who continue to engage in research and publication.
He wants the faculty to be the producers of knowledge, noting that “Academics are expected to not only teach but to produce the teaching materials.” Dr. Allen, who himself is a publisher of many articles, books, and other scholarly works, reminded the UL faculty that the task of producing knowledge would be strenuous because of the regular teaching schedules and loads they must execute.
However, he emphasized the crucial role research would play in the growth and development of the individual faculty. “Consequently, the faculty career, income, and rank depend on publication. Hence, the saying, ‘Publish or Perish,’ Dr. Allen stressed.
He commended the Visitor of the UL, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, the Board of Trustees, the Acting President, Dr. Al-Hassan Conteh, the entire Management Team, and the honorees for upholding the mission of the UL, despite recent happenings.
“Let me extend my thanks and appreciation to the Interim Management Team for the audacity to hold this 104th Commencement when barely three months ago there were deep uncertainties on this campus,” said Dr. Allen. “You took a difficult decision amid these uncertainties to hold the 104th Commencement Convocation,” Dr. Allen applauded the UL Interim Management Team.
Addressing the honorees, UL Acting President Prof. Dr. Al-Hassan Conteh described the faculty authors as scholars, mentors, and leaders who have committed their talents, time, and intellect to scientific research.
Conteh reflected on how research and publication were highlighted and promoted at the UL in the 1960s but got interrupted by the Liberian Civil War. “This revolution was at its peak at the University of Liberia in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, but was interrupted by the coup and the civil war,” Dr. Conteh noted.
He explained that during the era, faculty collaborative research included works like “Christianity, Islam, and the Negro Race” by Prof. Wilmot Blyden; “Growth Without Development,” and “Tribes and Class in Liberia.”
“The University of Liberia Journal was also published during that era, and it was through that means that faculty research was recognized. Dr. Conteh therefore recommended to the UL Vice President for Academic Affairs to restart the UL Journal.
He thanked all Universities from Africa, India, and the United States that are partnering with the UL and ensuring that the faculty profile is boosted. For her part, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Agnes Reeves Taylor explained that the concept to recognize and honor outstanding faculty was conceived three years ago to encourage research at the UL further.
According to her, they started with 13 faculty in the first year marking the 102nd Commencement Convocation and the number subsequently increased to 35 during the second year, marking the 103rd UL Commencement.
This year marking the 104th Commencement, she noted that the number has increased to 42 faculty members. She thanked the faculty authors for raising the profile of the UL through their scholastic works. Also, she lavished commendations on dedicated members of the faculty and staff for their commitment and hard work through their services. “We want you to know that we see the work you do, and we value your dedication, handwork, and service,” Dr. Taylor indicated.
