Photos present scenes from Thursday’s academic recognition and honoring program of the Grand Kru Technical College in Barclayville City, Grand Kru County. The photos further present scenes from the College’s Acting President, Prof. Dr. Josephus Gbala-hinnig Moses Gray week long tours of the College and assessment of progress and status of the institution.
During the colorful program, several personalities, students, staff and faculty members were honored for their outstanding academic performance, distinguished services and dedication to duties. They include: Christopher Woryenneh,
Most Distinguished Student with 3.8 GPA; Most Distinguished Faculty, Mr. Roosevelt Nyema; Most Outstanding Chairperson, Ms. Marylyn Sieh and the Most Outstanding Academic Department, Education Department.
The Most Determined Students award was shared by two physically challenged students, while the oldest students, 65 yrs old from the Department of.Education was recognised and honored. The Best Teacher award went to the French instructor, Mr. Stephanie Tiessiehi while Ms. Gertrude Nimely and Pedesco Kumeh won the Mist Committed Staff award and the Most Dedicated Staff award went to Mr. Koffa Martin, while Mr. Prince Dweh was honored as the Most Committed Security Officer.
The College also Bestowed honors on Grand Kru County Legislative Caucus Chairman, Senator Numene T.H Bartekwa; College’s Board Chairperson, Prof. Weade Kobbah-Boley, Senator Albert Tugbe Chie, Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa and the Superintendent of the County, Mrs. Antoinettee Worwele Nimely for their numerous support towards scholarships, quality education and the growth and development of the College.
The College contains Six Academic Programs including Engineering and Commhnity Technology, Education, Agriculture, Health Sciences, Business and Natural Sciences.
The current enrollment of students up todate is about 400 and is likely to increase beyond this number. The College offers Two-year of Associate of Science and Associate of Arts degree in six major disciplines. The College now has 26 faculty members with Bachelor’s degree and additional six administrators with Master’s degrees and one Ph.D. holder. For the current semester (2nd semester) GKTC offered 28 courses and 79 sections from Mondays through Saturdays.
During Dr. Gray’s visit, the College newly Computer Lab, Library and Student Palava Hut were all dedicated; the occasion was uniquely carried out. The Palava Hut is named: Center of Ideas and Discussion while Computer Lab will help to provide students with hand on knowledge in the field of computer Network and the newly dedicated library provides new knowledge to students, faculty and others. We will be grateful if people of goodwill would donate more books to the College. The current book in the library were donated by the Chair of the Board of Trustees, Prof. Weade Kobbah-Boley.
During the Acting President visit, several new desktop computer and new canon printers were distributed to the various offices to help enhance efficiency and productivity at the College. While the College’s President’s residence and office are now available for use by anyone who shall be appointed as the new president of GKTC by President Joseph Nyuma Boakia.
Meanwhile, Dr. Gray inherited the Grand Kru Technical College on paper without a single student, no faculty and no functioning academic programs. But through t good leadership, team work and support from the Board of Trustees and staff, the College can now boost of an established academic and administrative structures and policies, qualified and competent faculty members, 386 students and several program and numerous achievements.
The students in the College have been relieved of financial burdens due to the huge scholarships awarded to GKTC by distinguished Members of GKTC Board of Trustees and also Members of the Grand Kru County Legislative Caucus and Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa and other partners.
As of today, GKTC own no one any cent including either salary, services payment or goods. The only exception is the Acting President who continued to render pro-bono services and who monthly salary have been directed by MFDP for the purchase of a new brand Land Cruiser Jeep for GKTC basednupon the request of fhe Acting President, Dr.nGray. As Acting President, Dr. Gray has chosen not to receive the US$5,000 monthly salary, instead decided to render pro-bono services for over a year now on grounds that he cannot receive double salary from the University of Liberia and at the sametime from the Grand Kru Technical College.
This has contradict the unsubstantiated, invented and hateful negative propaganda against Dr. Gray and members of the Board of Trustees. Also, the clearing of the College’s 50 acres of land donated to GKTC by the tribal people of Kayken is ongoing and upon completion, the land would be used for agriculture activities and constructionnof the College new campus.
The tribal people of Kayken through their General Town Chief and representatives have affixed their official signatures to the land’s deed. Predicated upon the Kayken tribal people magnanimous gesture, the College leadership through a written document offered Five (5) yearly scholarships to the people of Kayken and additionl five scholarships yearly for the Kplio towns for the education of the sons and daughters. The offered is a landmine agreement.
Furthermore, it is fascinating to note that during GKTC’s inaugural Year-End Academic Recognition and Honoring Program held on Thursday, the Computer Lab, Student Palava Hut and Library were all dedicated. The CEO of the County and the City Mayoree of Barclayville City performed the dedicatory ceremonies of the Computer Lab and Library, while Fr. Doyen Topor of the Catholic Church in Grand Cess performed the dedicatory ceremony of the Student Palava Hut. Fr. Topor is a distinguished Member of the College’s Board of Trustees.
Considering the old African saying that work without play makes jack a dumb boy, last week Friday was used for amusement for the entire college. Prior to the amusement held during the the evening hour, the Acting President, Prof. Dr. Josephus Moses Gray conducted a general employee meeting and also held interactive meeting with the entire student population. It was uniquely conducted with an exchange if great ideas regarding challenges and prospects if the college.
During the meetings, everyone was asked to freely speak out on issues that needed the Acting President attention and by extension the Board of Trustees. On the same date, an exciting football match under the titled: President Cup was held between the Departments of Education and Engineering. At the end of the excited football match, the Departmentn of Education became victory after defeating the Department of Engineering and Computer Technology through penalty kicks.
Out of his personal gesture, Dr. Gray gave LRD25,000 prize for the tourney of which the winner ( Department of Education)will receive LRD15,000, while the running up team ( Engineering Department) will get LRD10,000, respectively.
On behalf of Dr. Gray, the diligent Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Mr. Edward Allen Smith will tomorrow present the amount to the students. Also, on behalf of his team, Dr. Gray presented a set of jersey to each academic department for use by the football team.
On the day, Friday’s night, Dr.Gray in his capacity as Acting President of the College, hosted a Year End Thank You party for the diligent staffs, illustrious administrators, committed faculty and dedicated students to appreciate them for the level of tangible and visible progress and achievements at the College, particularly to conduct two successful academic semester withoit a single protest or disruption of classes and working activities on the College’s campus in BarclayvilleCity. The amusement will remain unforgotten in the college and Barclayville’s history.
During the party which started 8pm and ended about 2pm saw staffs, students, invited guests and administrators dancing on the floor. ” I saw unity and one family at GKTC”, Dr. Gray noted. Prior to the amusement, Dr. Gray said: “Our only hope is for the college to remain on the good footing of hard work, dynamism, progress and achievement and that the newnpresident should be prepared to face the challenges and be a resulted oriented person.
“Let us pay deaf ear to those who embarkednon a very negative criticism and invented falsehod to ruin mybhard earnwd reputation and want to drstroy ghe survival of the College due to personal hate, pettiness and envy; let us look to the future….the prospects of GKTC is very bright and great, let our motto define us: “Enlightening Minds to Unlock Potentials”.
