By H. Matthew Turry
The University of Liberia (UL) has launched an ambitious US$6.35 million renovation and modernization program aimed at transforming the country’s premier public university, but officials have yet to announce when students and faculty will fully return to campus after months of closure.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, October 21, at the university’s Capitol Hill campus, UL President Dr. Layli Maparyan described the initiative as a landmark investment in Liberia’s higher education sector and a crucial step toward repositioning the institution as one of Africa’s leading universities.
“This is a generational investment in Liberia’s national flagship university,” Dr. Maparyan said, emphasizing that the project aligns with President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, which prioritizes education and seeks to elevate UL into the ranks of Africa’s top universities.
The initiative, known as the Renovation, Modernization and Beautification (RMB) Program, seeks to upgrade infrastructure across UL’s campuses while preserving the institution’s historical character.
According to Dr. Maparyan, renovation efforts will focus on restoring safe and functional structures, completing unfinished buildings, and expanding learning spaces, particularly at the Fendall campus. Modernization measures include upgrading electrical systems, establishing advanced laboratories, improving accessibility for persons with disabilities, and introducing renewable energy solutions.
The beautification component will address landscaping, debris removal, mold remediation, climate control, and other environmental improvements intended to create a more conducive learning environment.
“The goal is to bring UL to contemporary global standards and make it comparable to national universities across the sub-region and beyond,” she said.
The project designs were developed by Liberian architect Garmondyu Zogar of Forma Nova. Dr. Maparyan praised the architect for blending UL’s historic identity with modern educational infrastructure.
She also commended the Ministry of Public Works for maintaining technical drawings over the years and conducting earlier assessments of the university’s infrastructure needs.
Among the major projects underway is the reconstruction of the Capitol Hill campus entrance into a modern high-security gateway complemented by a new perimeter fence. Dr. Maparyan said the redesign is intended to symbolize the university’s renewal and restoration.
The National Legislature and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning have allocated US$6.35 million for the first phase of the program in 2026.
Current works include renovations to the Graduate School, the College of Business and Public Administration, and the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law and its annex. Construction is also ongoing at the Academic Building of the A.M. Dogliotti College of Medicine in Congo Town.
Additional projects under the Public Sector Investment Program include upgrades at the Preclinical Campus in Fendall and the David A. Straz-Sinje Technical and Vocational College in Grand Cape Mount County. University officials expect all major projects to be completed by March 31, 2027.
While construction continues, UL is preparing to resume academic activities through a hybrid model that combines online learning with limited face-to-face instruction.
Dr. Maparyan disclosed that negotiations with the University of Liberia Faculty and Staff Association (ULFASA) regarding employee welfare issues are ongoing. Discussions have focused on retirement benefits, salary disparities, wage increments, and outstanding arrears.
To support reopening, faculty members will undergo a two-week online teaching workshop, while the administration is securing additional off-campus learning spaces and expanding access to computers and internet data packages for students.
Despite concerns about prolonged academic disruption, Dr. Maparyan said preparations are advancing to ensure a swift resumption of classes once conditions permit.
“We are preparing so that the lead time is short once we do resume,” she said.
The university also announced new partnerships with the Liberia National Tourism Authority and the Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority to enhance tourism education and establish a modern Earth Sciences Laboratory, signaling what administrators describe as a renewed drive toward institutional growth and academic excellence.
