MONROVIA – Veteran Liberian academic and scholar, Dr. Josephus M. Gray, has received another prestigious international recognition, this time from India, where he has been appointed as an external examiner for a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) thesis at Sharda University’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
Dr. Gray, who previously served a short-term appointment as a visiting professor at the institution, described the appointment as “an honor” and a significant milestone in his academic career. “It is an honor to receive international recognition from India to serve as an examiner of a Ph.D., a respected professional academic role,” he said.
The recognition follows his successful three-month tenure as a visiting professor at Sharda University, where he taught three Master’s Studies Program (MOP 177) classes. During his professorship, Dr. Gray said he had the opportunity to teach in high-demand areas, share his expertise, build networks within the academic community, and gain new knowledge from professional colleagues, scholars, and students.
Impressed by his performance, the university has since appointed him as an adjunct faculty member in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. Dr. Gray expressed gratitude to Dr. Ashok Daryani, President of Sharda Group of Companies and Sharda University, for the confidence reposed in him. “I’m so thrilled for being given the privilege and the confidence reposed in me. God is great,” he stated.
In a formal communication dated September 23, 2025, Sharda University’s Controller of Examinations, Dr. Vinay K. Verma, informed Dr. Gray that the Vice-Chancellor had recommended his name as one of the examiners for the evaluation of a Ph.D. thesis titled “Scheduled Castes Representation in State Legislative Assembly: A Case Study of Three Regimes in Uttar Pradesh from 2007 to 2022.”
According to the letter, Dr. Gray is expected to evaluate the thesis within four weeks of receipt, with a possible one-week extension. This assignment further cements Dr. Gray’s growing academic influence beyond Liberia’s borders and underscores his contributions to global scholarship.
Dr. Josephus M. Gray currently serves at the Amos C. Sawyer College of Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Liberia.
