Liberian Student Takes Ghana By Storm, Wins Science Award At KNUST

Liberian Student Wins Science Award At KNUST

Student Abbas Mohammed Sheriff of Liberia has won this year's best science award at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, Ghana.

Speaking to FrontPageAfrica in a mobile phone conversation from Ghana, Student Sheriff said: "This is an honorable prize, especially being the first to be won by a Liberian."

The Dean of the Kwame Nkrumah University, Kwaku Darkwah, announced the award recently at a special ceremony under the International Student Association Awards.

Sheriff said he felt insulted two years ago when he was asked by his department head which country he originated from because of his performance in the sciences.

"When I told him that I was from Liberia, he asked me what I was doing in the math department. I felt a little bit insulted," he said.

He noted that the sarcastic comment from his teacher was his motivation. He said the award came as a result of his impressive average and extra-curricular works.

The young Liberian scholar was also a recipient of the Faculty of Physical Science Award during the 2010/2011 International Student Program in Ghana.

According information gathered by FrontPageAfrica, Sheriff will be completing his studies with 190 credits and is unprecedentedly required to take a maximum of 21 credits per semester as the regular credit for graduation is 154, amounting to 36 extra credits upon completions-thus making him the first Liberian and first person ever to achieve this feat in Ghana, considering all other departments.

In Liberia, Sheriff was the valedictorian of the St. Francis High School in 2002 and secured a bright Division One in the West African Examination Council tests that same year.

He said he wants to hopes to become a Mathematical Physicist Professor and Researcher some day, with specifications in the Physics.

"I'm not making an issue out of this award; I'm only trying to use it as a motivation for many young Liberians back home," he said.

He then urged Philanthropists and the Liberian government to support him in pursuing an advanced study in Mathematics and Physics in the United Kingdom or the United States of America.

Morris kangar, a Lecturer of Mathematics at the University of Liberia said the Sciences are overlooked by many Liberian students far before they reach University levels.

"Look, if someone does not understand the basic from the primary level, then there is no need; but don't get me wrong, there are very good students in Liberia."