—–As LIMPAC Promises Equipped Research Lab
A one-day symposium of the University of Liberia (UL) College of Research and Gender Studies has ended with a call on scholars to use their acquired gender knowledge to identify institutional problems and recommend solutions.
Delivering the symposium address virtually to an audience in Fendall, Louisiana on Thursday, February 25, 2021, Liberia Chambers of Commerce Secretary General Madam Salamartu Stephanie Duncan described the work of the scholars as a great way to contribute to society by using science and research for a sustainable human future.
“I want to thank you all for what you do and I hope you will use your knowledge to help forge [a] gender – equal world by choosing the challenge and calling out discrimination,” she urged the honors scholars, relating her statement to the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day celebration — “Choose The Challenge.”
She noted that throughout the entire month of March, there will be a celebration of International Women’s Day in recognition of their contributions to society.
“This is the time of the year that you will hear the word ‘gender’ used more than any other time,” said Madam Duncan, as she emphasized that the goal is to help forge a gender-equal world by celebrating women’s achievements and increasing their visibility.
According to Madam Duncan, the one-day Honors College symposium showcased the graduating scholars’ research skills and ability, adding that it is also another reminder that they are now cleared to achieve their life purpose.
Giving reference to the Capstone Bachelors’ Studies, Madam Duncan noted that since the 1990s, there has been a 300 percent increase in the number of gender studies graduates, describing that as very exciting.
The symposium speaker told the audience that throughout her journey for gender equality and her time in Liberia as a girl, she didn’t know that the Honors College of Gender and Research existed. But she thanked the university for the work being done.
Making remarks as a special guest during the Honors College of Research and Gender Studies’ 5th symposium in Fendall, Liberia Macroeconomic Policy Analysis Center (LIMPAC) Executive Director, Mr. Del Francis Wreh, pledged a fully equipped research lab for Honors College of Research and Gender Studies at the University of Liberia on behalf of his institution.
Mr. Wreh said the research lab will help scholars, who may not have the necessary working tools, do their projects.
“If that person is also challenged that he doesn’t understand how to run a simple linear regression model, but in the lab [it] will bring together everybody that has the knowledge, and that person can utilize that knowledge of his friend that is ahead of him,” he added.
Mr. Wreh pledged that LIMPAC will commit some of its budgetary resources to kick off the research lab project, saying this will be done within a matter of weeks, not years or months.
“We want to achieve that probably before the end of the next 90 days,” Mr. Wreh assured the university.
He added that “once that request is made and the university provides the space, we will put all of our efforts and time in making sure that the Honors College will have a research and training lab on the campus of Fendall of the University of Liberia.”
In his greetings earlier to the Honors College, the President of the University of Liberia Rev. Dr. Julius J. S. Nelson, Jr., said “we’re seeing the fruits of our hard work. And so today we’ve come to celebrate scholarship; we’ve come to celebrate academic excellence; just in case you didn’t know, we’ve also come to celebrate partnership among honors students working together day after day to see what it brings forth when we study together, pray together and hope that our product will come out very, very well.”
During the event, Dr. Nelson explained that the university has restructured the Liberia Institute of Policy Studies and Research, and faculty, staff and students are being encouraged to get involved in research.
“We are cultivating a culture of research at the University of Liberia and very soon, it will be a requirement for every student to do a term paper or research work before you graduate from the Lux In Tenebris, the University of Liberia.”
The UL President forewarned and reminded the audience that to encourage research, the university has already pledged a seed fund of US$50,000.
In an overview, Mr. Joseph F. Charles of the Interdisciplinary Research Department, said 33 students from across the five colleges of the University of Liberia participated in the research that started from the second semester of 2019/2020 academic year.
However, he said 23 of the students successfully completed the entire exercise, while 10 others dropped for reasons ranging from course load to other personal challenges.
Of those that completed the research, Mr. Charles said 10 of them are from Thomas J.R. Faulkner College of Science and Technology, followed by the College of Engineering.
Mr. Charles disclosed also that out of the 23 scholars who completed the exercise, the final products of three have been accepted for publication.
