The Sixteenth President of the University of Liberia Dr. Layli Maparyan has disclosed her first 100-day vision in addressing urgent challenges faced by the state-run university.
Speaking Friday, January 10, 2025 at her induction ceremony, Dr. Maparyan vowed to deliver on the objectives of her appointment as President of the University.
She said the university can only attain its true objective through collective efforts that would make it great again and promised to bring forth her experience and education to lead the university.
Dr. Maparyan said since her arrival in Liberia, her sense about the urgency of certain things at the university has increased and inclined her to add some actions to her first hundred days.
She said some actions of her first hundred will ensure collaborative effort amongst students, teachers and staff, to keep the university running.
Dr. Maparyan said one of the unavoidable things required to have the university regain its status amongst universities of the nation, Africa and the world, is regularizing the faculty pay by getting a comprehensive payroll that is void of corruption.
The new president of the university said the payroll needs to be verified and cleaned up because a clean payroll will make more money available.
For his part, President Joseph N. Boakai admitted to the current challenges faced by the university; adding that the appointment of Dr. Maparyan represents a pivotal moment for identifying opportunities for growth, innovation, and progress.
The Liberian leader disclosed that the Ministry of Education has submitted a report to him and will do a follow up to initiate the renovation of the campuses, while instructing the Minister of Finance to address the outstanding faculty arrears.
However, Boakai also urged the Board of Trustees and the UL Administration to remain engaged in resolving the issues identified by the faculty, staff and students.
The President pledged his government’s support in addressing the issues to their logical conclusion.
“Finally, let me thank the Board for the honor bestowed on me today based on what they acknowledge as my achievements and contributions to the nation serving as the rationale for conferring on me an honorary Doctor of Laws degree,” Boakai said.
By Prince Saah
