Capitol Hill Campus, Monrovia – August 9, 2025 – The University of Liberia (UL) has convened a one-day retreat for all faculty members holding Ph.D. and other terminal degrees, aimed at positioning the institution as a hub for advanced scholarship and academic leadership.
Organized by UL President Prof. Dr. Layli Maparyan, the retreat was held Thursday, August 7, 2025, at the Liberia Learning Center in Paynesville. Discussions centered on building a Ph.D.- and terminal degree-centric university, expanding faculty leadership in pursuit of excellence, and retooling professional development strategies, including study leave programs to help master’s-level faculty earn terminal degrees.
Dr. Maparyan emphasized the importance of gender balance, disability inclusion, and aligning with government budgetary mandates. She called on faculty to collectively uplift educational standards and lead the way in offering advanced degree programs critical to national development.
“We will explore and rank faculty priorities to guide strategic planning and fundraising,” she said, stressing that faculty welfare improvements must be tied to eliminating financial leakages and boosting revenue.
On campus climate, Dr. Maparyan urged efforts to reduce disruptive protests, noting that negative publicity deters potential funders. Faculty members engaged in exercises to identify what they value about UL, their challenges, aspirations, and concerns, with many expressing readiness to collaborate for institutional growth while calling for improved welfare and working conditions.
The retreat closed with a shared commitment to enhancing research culture, innovation, and academic excellence at Liberia’s flagship university.
