Washington, D.C. : October 2, 2015: President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has praised the U.S.-based nonprofit William V.S. Tubman University Foundation and the Marylander for Progress (MFP) for the project both organizations are spearheading to construct a state of the art electronic library and learning center at the W.V.S. Tubman University in Maryland County.President Sirleaf was speaking at a special event organized by the W.V.S. Tubman University Foundation and the MFP on Thursday, October 1, 2015 in Washington, D.C.President Sirleaf said at the well-attended and impressive event that construction of the state of the art electronic library is an effort that will stimulate ongoing effort to expand Liberia’s educational reform with technology at the core.“This is why Professor Paul Farmer has selected the TU as the site to construct a modern hospital that will serve as a teaching hospital for health care workers who will obtain the skills to work with community leaders and workers as part of government’s effort to build a resilient health system that has the capacity to respond effectively to infectious diseases,” she noted.The Liberian Leader said Tubman University, formerly the W.V.S. Tubman College of Technology, which was shut down during Liberia’s civil upheaval, represents an example of what is possible from determined commitment.President Sirleaf recalled that Dr. Elizabeth Russell, President of Tubman University, took a virtually non-functional technical college suffering from the ruins of the war and neglect and in three years has turned it into the best higher education institution in the country.“We wish to applaud Dr. Russell and her dynamic team for the level to which they have propelled the University,” President Sirleaf said. “”Elizabeth, you have gone way beyond the last mile in service to your country.”President Sirleaf thanked all well-meaning philanthropists, charitable institutions, and friends of Liberia for joining in support of this worthy project.Speaking earlier, W.V.S. Tubman University President Dr. Russell said during the course of her tenure, she will continue to work to ensure that Tubman University students have access to the best quality education.Also speaking, the Chairman of the Board of the Tubman University Foundation, Mr. Gerald Cooper, underscored the Foundation’s commitment to the full realization of the project.Dr. James Elliott, Chairman of the Board of the Marylanders for Progress, also underscored MFP’s commitment to ensuring that the project becomes a reality.The W.V.S. Tubman E-brary and Learning Center, which is estimated at more than US $19 million, is designed as a state of the art and futuristic project. It will contain a regular library and learning center with electronic books that will enable students, faculty, and researchers to have access to books and academic materials globally through the Internet.In 2014, architecture students from three Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Howard University in Washington, D.C., Morgan States University in Baltimore, Maryland, and Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Alabama, were involved in preparing the architectural design of the center.Before the Ebola epidemic last year, nine students from the three universities traveled to Maryland County, Liberia for a first-hand experience. The final design of the E-brary and Learning Center was announced at a ceremony held at Howard University on June 27, 2014.It may also be recalled that on June 30, 2014, Tubman University and Morgan State University signed a land-marked Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) under which the two institutions of higher learning identified mutually beneficial objectives in cooperating in the delivery of instructional services.The benefits of the MOU, signed by Dr. Russell of Tubman University and Dr. David Wilson, President of Morgan State University, include but not limited to enhancing the preparation of a diverse and internationally competent workforce; developing undergraduate and graduate curricula that include theory and research on international topics relevant to Tubman University and Morgan State University. These include but are not limited to Architecture and Planning, Business Administration, Education, and Engineering.The MOU also includes advancing new online and distance education instructional modalities appropriate for international students and cross border studies. Among distinguished personalities at the event were Dr. David Wilson, President of Morgan State University; Liberia’s Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Jeremiah C. Sulunteh; and the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Liberian Embassy, Hon, Jeff Dowana. Below are some photos from this event:
Signed:Gabriel I H WilliamsMinister Counselor for Press and Public Affairs
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