Amidst profound innovation coupled with persuasive exploration in the academic global co m\munity with unwavering vested interest in advancement of the human development, the Dean of the Amos C. Sawyer College of Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Liberia, Associate Professor Dr. Josephus M Gray has been appointed as Sharda University in India Ambassador to the Republic of Liberia.
Amb. Dr. Gray’s appointment is predicated upon his tireless effort, selfless interest and his openness in liaising with other higher institutions of learning in cementing the academic growth and development of students and faculty members of the University of Liberia in advancing their academic achievements.
Amb. Dr. Gray’s appointment was made recently by the President of International Relations of Sharda Group of Companies in New Delhi, India, Dr. Ashok Danyani during his recent visit to Liberia as official guest of the University of Liberia.
According to Dr. Danyani, the appointment of Dr. Gray will go a long way in fostering and fertilizing the eloquence and pride of all beneficiaries in particular and the university community in general. Justifying confidence repose in Amb. Dr. Gray’s ability, capacity and astuteness, the President of Sharda University says he remains proud of the conferment of the Diplomatic task on the Dean of the Amos C. Sawyer College of Social Sciences and Humanities. This praiseworthy development free of personal recognition rather for the wellbeing of others who are mostly in need is highly commendable and desirous of the unique accolade in the embodiment of the title: Ambassador.
The appointment is in recognition of Ambassador Gray’s pivotal contributions towards quality learning and human capacity building. The President of the International Relations of Sharda Group of Companies and University challenge Professor Gray to be an agent of progress for human resource development in the global academic community.
Responding, Prof. Dr. Gray noted that he was shocked that whatever task he may have involved himself with which is pro-people-centered activities in the academic orbit, did not go unnoticed.
Accepting his preferment, Ambassador Gray commended Dr. Danyani and the Sharda University and promised live up to the challenge in a special manner that will bring glory, proud and mutual respect for both institutions, University of Liberia and countries-Liberia and India.
Dr. Gray upon his preferment, is graced with diplomatic working and education, such as student and professor of International Relations, Diplomacy and Foreign Policy Studies, and also worked as senior Policy Advisory to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Liberia, Assistant Foreign Minister for Public Affairs, Political Counselor at the Embassy of Liberia in Paris, France, and Charge D’ Affairs at Liberia Permanent Mission to the SWISS Federation and the United Nations in Genera, Switzerland, respectively.
Ambassador Gray hails from the Southeastern village of Kayken, Barclayville District in Grand Kru County and has achieved the highest level of academic mastery in his chosen academic field including a Ph.D. (distinction) in International Relations and diplomacy from HELP-CEDS University in Paris, Republic of France. He further holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and a Bachelor’s degree in Communication (Print Journalism) from the University of Liberia. Ambassador Gray is also 2008 graduate of Chinese Foreign Affairs University in Beijing, China with advanced Diploma in Diplomacy while in 2006 through the sponsorship of Association of American Editors and ICFJ in Washington, D.C., USA.
Prof. Gray spent several months in the USA at the Savannah Morning Newspaper in Savannah, Georgia and a week each at Washington Post, New York time and Associate Press on the International Journalism Exchange Program. He also holds dozen of diplomas and certificates in foreign policy studies, international relations, diplomacy, print journalism, development communication, research methodology, and Digital Communication from Paris, France; Genera, Switzerland; Beijing, China; Washington, D.C., USA; Cape Town, South Africa; Rabat, Morocco; Accra, Ghana; Dakar, Senegal And Monrovia, Liberia. Besides the Deanship, Ambassador teaches International Relations specifically Decision-making in International Politics and Political Communication at the University of Liberia Graduate and Undergraduate programs.
Recently, the 103rd 2022 Graduation Class of the University of Liberia honored Dr. Gray as “Most Progressive Dean of Year 2021-2022. The Award was bestowed upon Dr. Gray for his visible and extraordinary contributions towards higher education, faculty capacity building, career development and several developmental initiatives.
The award honors and recognizes Dean for demonstrates leadership, excellence interactions and guidance in working with students and faculty in the framework of outstanding creative and innovative activities as well as the new the trajectory of the College and the reintroduction of compulsory essay exams and thesis across the entire college.
In a related development, the Association of Students with Disability of the University of Liberia in February 2023 honored the Dr. Gray for his human-insightfulness coupled with his tireless effort and valuable services to the students’ population of the institution.
The Certificate of Appreciation was presented to Dr. Gray at program marking the official launch of the National Lottery Authority Financial Aid towards the Disabled Students Association.
Presenting the Certificate of Appreciation to Prof. Dr. Josephus Moses Gray, the Director of the Resource Center for Disability Support and Alternative Learning, Assistant Prof. Mrs. Saydah Williamson Taylor said the Disabled Students Association was pleased to honor the Sawyer College Dean for his restless support to the students with Disability, including his (Dean’s) demonstrated passion for inclusive education at the Nation’s premier higher institution of learning.
In a special statement, Dr. Gray praised the UL Students with Disability for their outstanding academic performance and valuable services to the institution in spite of their physical condition.
He reminded the students that the President of the University of Liberia, Prof Dr Julius Julukon Sarwolo Nelson and the entire UL administration are very proud of their outstanding academic performance and commitment to achieve quality education.
Also, in July 2023, the Association of Liberian students in India bestowed extraordinary honors on the President of the University of Liberia, Prof. Dr. Julius Julukon Sarwolo Nelson, and Dr. Gray. The two were honored for their tireless efforts, valuable services to higher education and inclusive education relating to their respective duties at the Nation’s flagship university and commitment to quality education.
The Highest Service Award is one of the exceptional honors awarded by the Liberian Community and students residing and studying in the Republic of India. The prestigious honor is awarded in the field of dynamics leadership, handwork, dedication and commitment to duties. The colorful ceremony was held at Sharda University Campus in Knowledge Park, Greater Norda, Delhi, India.
Giving the overview of the highest honors, the National President of Liberian Community and Students in India, Mr. James Flomo noted that the prestigious honor recognizes the scope and depth of Dr. Nelson’s activities, contribution to higher education, services to the nation and commitment to quality learning and teaching at the University of Liberia.
Mr. Flomo reiterated with emphasis, that Dr. Nelson and Dr. Gray deserved to be recognized for their hard works, commitment to human development and education, and their distinctive leadership roles as President of the University of Liberia, and as Dean of Prof. Amos Claudius Sawyer College of Social Sciences and Humanities.
He pinpointed that the two distinguished noble sons of the soil and proven academics are the first public officials from Liberia to receive such a prestigious accolade in India. He continued: “We are pleased to bestow on the achievable President of UL and the illustrious Dean of Amos Claudius Sawyer College.
