By E. J. Nathaniel Daygbor
Gbarpolu County Senator Amara Konneh has proposed that the University of Liberia (UL) pursue strategic partnerships with private companies to strengthen its academic programs and improve financial sustainability.
In a recent Facebook post, the former Finance Minister emphasized the importance of collaboration between UL and global universities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and private sector entities.
He argued that such partnerships could provide the funding and expertise needed to modernize teaching methods, expand research opportunities, introduce technological solutions, and create internship programs that connect students to regional job markets.
“The University of Liberia should also focus on collaborating with global universities, NGOs, and private companies. These institutions can offer the resources and knowledge necessary to transform UL into a modern, competitive institution,” Konneh wrote.
Despite years of rising enrollment, Konneh criticized successive UL administrations for failing to expand infrastructure or update the curriculum to meet Liberia’s evolving workforce demands.
“Since the 1980s, no new building has been erected on the Capitol Hill campus — except for the dilapidated CPAV and Stage structures. The campuses remain in disrepair, which is an urgent priority,” he stated.
“The curriculum is still heavily centered on political science and public administration, with limited offerings and poor teaching quality in market-driven fields like technology, healthcare, education, and engineering.”
Konneh also highlighted the university’s struggle to replace volunteer educators with qualified professionals, despite the presence of a Teachers College. He noted that UL continues to face challenges in attracting and retaining faculty with terminal degrees.
On the issue of funding, Konneh pointed to a shift in UL’s budgetary allocations following the 2018 political transition. Under the Unity Party (UP) administration, UL received an appropriation of $16.1 million.
The Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) administration later increased actual budget performance to $16.5 million by the end of that fiscal year.
By 2023, UL’s spending had surged to $30.1 million—a significant increase, even after accounting for the tuition-free policy introduced under the CDC government. However, Konneh questioned whether this rise in funding had translated into meaningful improvements.
“This increased budgetary appropriation went largely toward recurrent expenditures, rather than capital investments.
That raises a critical question: Has this funding boost led to tangible progress in faculty compensation, teaching quality, and student services?” he asked.
Senator Konneh’s remarks have reignited public debate over the future of higher education in Liberia, with growing calls for reform in UL’s governance, curriculum development, and funding priorities.
