MONROVIA, LIBERIA – The Amos C. Sawyer College of Social Sciences and Humanities at the University of Liberia (UL) is poised for a major academic transformation following an intensive interactive session held on Monday, January 27, 2025. The meeting, led by the College’s Dean, Dr. Josephus Gbala-hinnig Moses Gray, alongside the academic team, addressed a wide range of academic and administrative concerns. The discussions centered on key challenges, potential reforms, and the institution’s strategic future, setting a new trajectory for the College.
The session, which brought together 15 departmental chairpersons and other academic officials, focused on critical issues affecting the College, including faculty assignments, course schedules, full-time and part-time faculty workloads, hiring policies, and contractual obligations. It also delved into academic project initiatives, including a significant plan to co-author a book analyzing the governance systems of Liberia and India.
One of the central themes of the meeting was the ongoing issue of faculty compensation and contractual arrangements. Concerns were raised over outstanding payments for part-time faculty and the heavy workloads assigned to full-time instructors. The discussion also emphasized the need for a standardized hiring policy to ensure fairness and efficiency in recruiting qualified faculty members.
Another major highlight was the issue of academic standards and curricula development. The academic team engaged in a robust exchange on refining course descriptions and strengthening the College’s reporting mechanisms. Chairpersons were urged to take on extra roles in monitoring class sections to enhance efficiency and improve the quality of education delivered to students.
Dr. Gray used the meeting to share insights from his recently concluded two-month visiting professorship at Sharda University in Greater Noida, India. He provided an update on his experience teaching Energy and Environment Relations and Geopolitics, emphasizing the differences in academic assessment systems. He noted that at Sharda University, midterm and final examinations are exclusively administered by the Office of Examination and Evaluation, with no input from professors or deans in crafting exam questions.
In a development that underscores the growing academic partnership between UL and Sharda University, Dr. Gray announced that Sharda University has expressed its commitment to sending three professors to UL on a semester sabbatical. The delegation will be headed by Prof. Dr. Anviti Gupta, a renowned psychologist, behavioral trainer, and one of the top deans at Sharda University. Dr. Gupta, with over 21 years of experience, specializes in juvenile and adolescent psychological issues, including anxiety, substance abuse, and peer pressure.
The announcement of this academic exchange was met with enthusiasm, as it signals a deepening of international academic cooperation. If finalized, the visiting faculty from India will contribute to UL’s academic programs by engaging in lectures, research collaborations, and knowledge-sharing initiatives with Liberian faculty and students.
Dr. Gray also took the opportunity to acknowledge the exceptional academic performance of two UL-sponsored students currently pursuing graduate studies at Sharda University. He singled out Jarkai Sasey, an MA candidate in History, and Konneh Ballah, an MA candidate in Political Science, for their outstanding academic achievements. Their exemplary performances have prompted Sharda University to express interest in having them pursue their Ph.D. studies upon completing their master’s programs in June 2025. Dr. Gray encouraged UL to consider extending sponsorship for their doctoral studies.
During the meeting, faculty attitudes toward their responsibilities also emerged as a significant point of discussion. Concerns were raised about the commitment of some faculty and staff, with an emphasis on improving professionalism and academic engagement. The need for departmental chairpersons to play a more active role in monitoring faculty performance and ensuring adherence to academic standards was strongly emphasized.
Additionally, Dr. Gray commended the dedication of his academic team, acknowledging the vital role that chairpersons and coordinators play in the institution’s development. He encouraged them to remain committed to the College’s mission, emphasizing that their contributions are crucial to shaping a robust and competitive academic environment at UL.
The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the College’s commitment to academic excellence and institutional growth. Dr. Gray expressed gratitude to the faculty members for their invaluable input and assured them that their concerns and recommendations would be addressed to strengthen the College’s operational framework.
