Liberia: AIIST University College Appeals to Legislature for Budgetary Support as Koon Promises to Engage House Members

Capitol Building – The Administration of Africa International Institute of Science and Technology (AIIST) University College has formally appealed to the 54th National Legislature to consider the institution for budgetary support through the national budget.

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***By Emmanuel Weedee-Conway ***

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Making the appeal Friday, October 2, 2026 during a visit to the Offices of House Speaker Richard N. Koon, AIIST President K. Ishmael V. Conneh said the institution is not merely asking for money but making a case for investment in Liberia’s people.

“We have not come here simply to ask government for money. We have come to make a case for investment in Liberia’s people,” Conneh stated.

President Conneh indicated that, AIIST, whose motto is “Learn by Doing It,” currently offers degree programs in Information Technology, Environmental Science, Electrical Engineering Technology, Maritime Logistics and Technology, Social Work, Business Administration, and Islamic Education.

The institution is the first and only college in Liberia to offer a degree specialty in Islamic Education.

US$90,000 In Free Training for the Security Sector

Conneh told Speaker Koon that AIIST has already contributed significantly to the Government of Liberia.

He disclosed that through its tuition-free training initiative, the college has trained at least 280 members of Liberia’s security and public service sector.

Those trained include personnel of the Liberia National Police (LNP), Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), Executive Protection Service (EPS), Liberia National Fire and Rescue Service, Liberia Land Authority, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The initiative, he said, costs the institution at least US$90,000.

Role In Digital Transformation Project

The AIIST President also cited the institution’s role in the Government of Liberia’s Digital Transformation Project, launched by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. to train 10,000 young Liberians in digital skills.

Conneh said AIIST helped implement the project beyond Monrovia, taking digital literacy training to Lofa, Grand Cape Mount, and Bomi Counties.

According to him, the initiative reached more than 10,000 young people.

“This demonstrates something important: AIIST is not waiting for government to do everything. AIIST is already helping government do more,” he noted.

Over 140 Students on Scholarship

He further disclosed that the institution has placed more than 75 academically outstanding students from at least 50 high schools in Monrovia on scholarship at an annual cost of about US$76,000.

The institution is also providing financial assistance to approximately 65 student-athletes at a cost of at least US$21,500 yearly.

“There should be no excuse for academic poverty. A young person’s financial circumstances should not permanently determine the limits of his or her intellectual potential,” Conneh said.

Call for Partnership

Conneh stressed that Liberia’s youthful population needs education, technical and digital skills, and that government cannot carry the responsibility alone.

He called on the Legislature to see AIIST as a partner in national development, rather than simply an institution seeking assistance.

He also pledged the college’s readiness to accept transparency, reporting, monitoring, and auditing mechanisms if public support is granted.

“Our request is not simply for institutional survival. Our request is for institutional capacity to do more – to train more Liberians, to provide more scholarships, and to strengthen our laboratories and technology infrastructure,” the AIIST President stated.

“When Liberia invests in education, Liberia invests in its people. And when Liberia invests in its people, Liberia invests in its future,” he added.

Koon Gives Hope

Receiving the document, Speaker Koon extolled the Administration of AIIST for joining other private institutions in buttressing government’s efforts in providing education for public.

Upon return of the Legislature, Speaker Koon vowed to engage members of the House of Representatives on the matter so that AIIST like other privately owned higher institutions of learning, can receive government’s support.

“Thank you for providing educational support to our nation. You have done well. I wholeheartedly receive your communication with your concerns. I will engage members upon our return from our legislative break to see what we can do for you as an institution,” added Speaker Koon.