University of Liberia Graduates Over 500 Without Visitor or Keynote Speaker

University of Liberia Graduates

Less than 500 students have gotten their Degrees in various disciplines from the state University.

The University of Liberia Commencement convocation held at the Samuel K. Doe Sports complex on Wednesday May 22, 2013 in Paynesville was not characterized by the usual personality galore like many others before it.

Many students expressed dissatisfaction over the failure of the visitor to the university President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to grace the occasion.

They also expressed dismay over the graduating class' decision not to bring in a keynote speaker.

Graduate Matu Williams from the Business College and many officials including some students blamed the provost of the graduating class for not arranging for a guest speaker as her office is said to be responsible to arrange such matters.

"We never had Guest speaker nor class president, but it was fine," said Williams.

The student added that despite these circumstances the program was held and graduates and their families and friends left the program on time.

Graduating in may an Economic burden

The President of the University of Liberia Dr. Emmett Dennis during the ceremony said that the board of Trustees of the University has sanctioned that this year's May graduation marks the end of midterm graduation.

Dr. Dennis speaking during the 94th convocation of the University of Liberia Dr said the May graduation poses serious economic burden on the graduates and the University.

"It has been approved that students who finish their academic requirements will be cleared and given attestation while they wait for commencement in December," said the UL President.

Dr. Dennis argued that the twice a year graduation were necessary at the time to rid the institution of students who had over stayed to reduce the stress on the University meager facilities.

The class of 453 graduates is the lowest since Dr. Dennis took over the institution as president in 2009. Also speaking, the vice president of the 94th graduating class Edith Jallah said, the institution needs more funding to catch to match the existing reality.

Jallah said the growth in the student population must be matched with increased financial support if the University is to function properly. Jallah challenged her colleagues to be focused and determined so as to contribute to the nation's development drive.

The college of Business and Public Administration has the highest number of graduates 180, followed by Liberia College 104, 48 from the College of Science and Technology and 59 from Teacher College.

A total of 46 students were certified from the graduate and professional schools. No candidate came from the A.M Dogliotti College of medicine and the School of Pharmacy.