UL Reopening in Limbo

By Lincoln G. Peters

CAPITOL HILL, Monrovia, October 22, 2026 – Uncertainty surrounds the reopening of the University of Liberia (UL) and its 106th graduation exercise as ongoing campus renovations and unresolved negotiations between the administration and faculty and staff representatives continue to delay the resumption of normal academic activities.

UL President Dr. Layli Maparyan has disclosed that major renovation works across the university’s campuses are expected to be completed by March 31, 2027, while discussions aimed at resolving longstanding faculty and staff welfare concerns remain ongoing.

Providing an update on the institution’s reopening plans and infrastructure development, Dr. Maparyan said the university is undertaking extensive renovation, modernization and beautification works with US$6.35 million allocated in 2026 through the National Legislature and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP).

She said additional funding is anticipated as the university seeks to improve its facilities and restore the institution’s standing as Liberia’s premier public university.

According to her, three major buildings on the Capitol Hill campus are currently undergoing renovation: the Graduate School, the Business College, and the Law School and its annex.

Similar works have begun on the Academic Building at the A.M. Dogliotti Medical School campus in Congo Town.

Dr. Maparyan described the initiative as the Renovation, Modernization and Beautification (RMB) program, intended to bring the university’s infrastructure up to contemporary international standards.

She said the goal is to make UL competitive with leading national universities across West Africa and the continent while restoring dignity to Liberia’s flagship institution of higher learning.

“All projects are expected to be complete by March 31, 2027,” she disclosed.

The UL President explained that the renovation works are being supervised by a Technical Working Group comprising representatives of the Ministry of Public Works and the university’s Project Management Team.

The team is headed by Project Manager Engr. Mencer T. Powoe and Deputy Project Manager Engr. James M. Clemons.

She added that male and female students from UL’s Civil and Electrical Engineering departments are participating in the projects as interns to gain practical experience and strengthen their professional skills.

Beyond the major renovation works, Dr. Maparyan disclosed that smaller emergency repairs are underway across the university’s four campuses, particularly at Fendall.

These include repairs to leaking roofs, bathrooms and lighting systems, which she described as essential interventions required before academic activities can resume.

She said Vice President for Administration Sehmah R. Jallah and Director of Plant Operations Jeff Walker are coordinating the emergency repairs alongside the university’s internal technical team.

However, the UL President acknowledged that reopening the institution remains dependent on resolving outstanding issues involving faculty and staff.

“For many months now, UL Administration and the UL Board of Trustees, and ULFASA – the merger of the UL Faculty Association and the UL Staff Association – have been in talks and negotiations to get everybody back to work and to get our students seated back in their classrooms learning,” she stated.

According to Dr. Maparyan, the administration has been working to address longstanding employee welfare concerns, including National Social Security and Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP) obligations, retirement benefits, salary disparities, salary increments and outstanding arrears.

She disclosed that the University of Liberia Faculty and Staff Association (ULFASA) recently submitted a draft quadripartite Memorandum of Understanding involving the university administration, the faculty association, the staff association and the MFDP.

The proposed agreement, intended to establish a new collective bargaining framework, is currently under review by the administration.

Despite the unresolved negotiations, Dr. Maparyan said the university’s leadership is preparing for the eventual reopening of academic activities.

She disclosed that the UL Cabinet has approved plans to reintroduce online education as a major mode of instruction during the renovation period, while maintaining essential in-person classes.

The arrangement could also require the university to secure additional classroom facilities outside its existing campuses.

“UL is currently in talks to acquire such space,” she said.

Dr. Maparyan explained that once faculty members return, they will participate in a two-week training workshop on online instruction to strengthen their capacity to deliver courses effectively.

The initiative is being coordinated by Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Agnes Reeves Taylor and her team.

She said the training would build on lessons learned when online education was first introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, the Office of Student Affairs, headed by Vice President and Dean of Students Saydah Williamson Taylor, has developed a new student orientation program in preparation for reopening.

The university’s academic scheduling office is also revising course schedules to accommodate online instruction and classes that may be held at off-campus facilities.

To address challenges associated with internet connectivity and access to digital learning devices, Dr. Maparyan disclosed that Chief Information Officer Dr. Darren Wilkins is working on arrangements to provide affordable data packages for students.

The administration is also seeking to expand access to computers on campus for students without smartphones, laptops or other internet-enabled devices.

“Our Chief Information Officer, Dr. Darren Wilkins, is working on data packages to reduce the cost of getting online and also expanding UL’s available computers on campus for those who do not have access to smartphones, laptops, or other devices at home,” she explained.

Dr. Maparyan maintained that the administration is taking the necessary steps to ensure that academic activities can resume promptly once outstanding issues are resolved.

“So, in a word, we are getting ready so that the lead time is short once we do resume,” she concluded.

However, the university has not announced a definite reopening date, leaving students awaiting clarity on when classes will resume. The administration’s update also did not specify a date for the 106th graduation exercise.

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