A distinguished Liberian academic, Dr. Josephus Moses Gray, Associate Professor of International Relations at the University of Liberia, has been elected to the Seventh Council of the International Confucian Association (ICA), alongside 21 other scholars from Africa. The election took place during the ICA Council Meeting held at the Beijing International Hotel on Saturday, securing a five-year term for the council members.
Dr. Gray, who also serves as Dean of the Amos C. Sawyer College of Social Sciences and Humanities at the University of Liberia, is currently in Beijing, China, participating in a five-day International Conference commemorating the 2575th Anniversary of Confucius’ birth. The conference, which began on October 19, 2024, at the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People, has attracted over 120 prominent professors, scholars, and academics from Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, and other regions.
During the event, key ICA officials, including the President, Executive Vice President, Vice Presidents, Council Chair, Vice Council Chairs, and Executive Committee Representatives, were elected for the next five years. Representatives from across Africa, including West, North, East, and Southern Africa, are playing a significant role in shaping the future of this prestigious organization.
The conference has brought together an esteemed panel of global experts, including former Japanese Prime Minister Fukuda Yasuo, former Italian Prime Minister Massimo D’Alema, and UNESCO Deputy Director-General Qu Xing. The gathering serves as a platform for scholars to exchange ideas and promote Confucianism’s role in global development.
This marks Dr. Gray’s third participation in the ICA Congress and Council Meeting, having previously attended in Beijing and Rabat, Morocco. During the China-Africa Think Tanks Forum in Beijing, Dr. Gray delivered a keynote address on the theme “China and African Countries’ Independent Exploration of Development Paths: Experience and Inspiration.” In 2021, he also presented a paper at the China-Africa Think Tanks Forum titled “Building a Community of Shared Future for All Mankind and a New Era of Sustaining Peace and Economic Growth in Africa.”
Confucianism, which originated in China, has evolved into a global cultural phenomenon. The ICA is dedicated to promoting the study and dissemination of Confucian thought, organizing academic conferences, supporting educational initiatives, and fostering international cooperation in Confucian studies. The association aims to unite scholars and institutions worldwide to advance the application of Confucianism in addressing contemporary global challenges.
Dr. Gray’s participation in the ICA reflects his significant contributions to academic research and international relations. Appointed Dean of the Amos C. Sawyer College of Social Sciences and Humanities in 2020, he has played a pivotal role in enhancing academic excellence at the University of Liberia. He holds a Ph.D. in International Relations and Diplomacy from HELP-CEDS University in Paris, where he earned distinction for his doctoral dissertation titled The Effect of Diplomacy.
In addition to his academic achievements, Dr. Gray has held prominent positions in Liberia’s public sector, including Senior Policy Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Assistant Foreign Minister for Public Affairs and Diplomacy. He also served as Liberia’s Political Counselor in Paris, Minister Counselor at Liberia’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva, and Charge d’Affaires to the Swiss Federation.
Throughout his career, Dr. Gray has published over 300 peer-reviewed articles in international journals and authored several books. His notable works include Liberia’s Emerging Democracy and The Effect of Diplomacy: Liberia, US, China’s Triangular Relations, which are available in multiple languages and distributed globally. His research interests span foreign policy, international relations, diplomacy, and the development of Liberia’s post-war governance structure.
As an educator, Dr. Gray has supervised numerous graduate theses, both at the University of Liberia’s IBB Graduate Program and other institutions. His role in shaping the next generation of Liberian scholars, coupled with his international engagements, underscores his commitment to advancing Liberia’s academic and diplomatic reputation on the global stage.
The ICA’s efforts to promote Confucian studies globally align with Dr. Gray’s broader vision of fostering cross-cultural understanding and sustainable development. His election to the ICA Council positions him to further contribute to the global dialogue on Confucianism and its relevance in contemporary society.
In addition to his academic and diplomatic endeavors, Dr. Gray holds advanced certifications in modern journalism, diplomacy, and research methodology from institutions in China, France, the USA, South Africa, and Switzerland. His work has earned him recognition as a leading figure in Liberian academia and diplomacy.
Dr. Gray’s involvement with the ICA marks another milestone in his illustrious career, furthering his influence in both academic and international spheres. His leadership within the University of Liberia and his participation in global forums demonstrate his commitment to bridging cultures and fostering intellectual collaboration between Liberia, China, and the broader international community.
Brief profile
Professor Dr. Josephus M. Gray, who was appointed in January 2020 as Dean of the Amos C. Sawyer College of Social Sciences and Humanities at the University of Liberia, has a rich history of leadership within the university, including serving as President of UL Student Press Club, Part-time Faculty, Instructor, Assistant Professor and now Associate Professor.
He continues to make immense contributions to UL’s academic community as an Associate Professor of International Relations, IBB Graduate Program of International Studies. He is a native born Liberian, hails from the Southeastern Village of Kayken, Barclayville District in Grand Kru County, Republic of Liberia. He is the Acting Prwsident of Grand Kru Technical College in a pro bomo role and now a Visiting Professor at Sharda University in New Delhi, India.
At the College of Social Sciences and Humanities, he taught research methods courses in several departments including the Departments of Political Science, Communication and Media Studies, Social Science and English and Language Studies, as well as teaching, research, publication and capacity building. His extensive leadership roles have included Dean of the ACS College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Chairman, Council of Deans, University of Liberia, Co-chairman of the Grand Kru Technical College and Member of the Professor Amos C. Sawyer Educational Foundation; Sharda University in India Ambassador to Liberia and Sharda University Coordinator for West Africa and Member of the International Confucian Association and Acting President Grand Kru Technical College.
He has achieved the highest level of academic mastery in his chosen academic field including a Ph.D. (distinction) in International Relations and Diplomacy from the HELP-CEDS University in Paris, Republic of France. He is a 2010 graduate of Chinese Foreign Affairs University in Beijing, China.
The theme of his 580-page doctoral dissertation “The Effect of Diplomacy” was successfully defended for two hours in the presence of four academics jury of an astute French professors: (1)Prof. Dr. Faund NOHRA, Associate Professor at Paris Dscartes University; Prof. Dr. Souha AKIKI, President of Paris Graduate School/ Innovative Knowledge Institute;, Dr. Prof. Michael STRAUSS, Advisor to the UN Special Rapporteur on Unilateral Coercive Measures and Human Rights and Dr. Prof. Michael LEBEDEV, Senior Diploma at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. Mr. Yatay Tuoway, former Vice President of Liberian Association in France and resident of Paris was extended invitation by the university to attend the dissertation defense exercise.
Dr. further holds a Master’s Degree in International Relations and Bachelor’s Degree in Communication (Print Journalism) from the University of Liberia.
At the public sector level, Dr. Gray has held positions such as Senior Policy Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Liberia, Assistant Foreign Minister for Public Affairs and Diplomacy; Political Counselor, Embassy of Liberia in Paris, France, and Minister Counsellor and Charge D’ Affairs, Liberia Permanent Mission to the Swiss Federation and the United Nations in Geneva and other International Organizations.
At other levels, he earned diplomas and certificates in foreign policy Studies, international relations, diplomacy, print journalism, development communication, research methodology, and leadership from Paris, France; Genera, Switzerland; Beijing, China; Washington, D.C., USA; Cape Town, South Africa; Rabat, Morocco; Accra, Ghana; Dakar, Senegal and Monrovia, Liberia.
He has wildly written and published over 300 per-reviewed articles in local and international journals and three books. His recent book characterizes the existing relationships among Liberia, China and the United States of America as “triangular, and is on sale in 160 countries across the world. The book is reproduced in several languages including French, Italian, Chinese, and Spanish.
Dr. Gray Master’s Thesis: “The Consequences of the Liberian Civil War was supervised Sarr Abdulai Vandi, former Director, IBB Graduate School while his BA Mass Communication Undergraduate’s Thesis: The Impact of Print Media on Democracy in Liberia is thesis supervised by Prof. Joe W. Mulbah, former Chair, Department of Mass Communication.
Dr. Gray holds advanced certificate in Modern Journalism (2006), ICFJ, Washington, D.C. USA; Diploma in Modern Diplomacy, (2008), Chinese Foreign Affairs University, Beijing, China; Certificate in Practical Research (2017), Bibliotheque International Library, Paris, France and Certificate Program: Digital Journalism (2006) World Newspaper Editors Forum. Cape Town, South Africa. In the area of pre-reviewed publications, Dr. Gray has authored: A Comprehensive Analysis of the Impact of ELearning at the University of Liberia; Analysis of the Similarities and Disparities.
Others include :The tale of Liberian Press and Global Media practices; Analysis of the Impact and Intricacies of Liberian Foreign policy and international Relations over the last 75 years;
Comparison and Contrast of China and Liberia’s Contemporary Global Status: Analysis of CPC’s Scientific Theories Democratic Governance and National Development in Post-war Liberia; The Effect of Diplomacy: Liberia, US, China’s Triangular Relations. Others include: The Consequences of the Unforgotten Liberian Civil War; The Tale of Violence against Liberian Media: The Curse of bad Governance and Rampant corruption in Africa and China and African Countries independent Exploration of Development Path While his books include: Liberia’s Emerging Democracy: published in Paris, France 2012 and Effect of Diplomacy, published 2021 by Amazon, Washington State, USA.
While his contributions to book chapters include: The New Dimension: Beijing Influence in Liberia and Analysis of China’s Belt and Road Initiative and its Impact on Liberia’s Infrastructure Development.
Prof. Gray holds membership in reputable professional journals such as: International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Sciences (IJROSS), International Research Journal of Public and Environmental Health and Academia.edu located on 580 California St, Suite 400, San Francisco, USA.
He is a member of the Africa-China Think Tanks Forum, Beijing, People’s Republic pf China and Council member of the International Confucian Institute, headquarters in Beijing, China. Dr. Gray also supervised about 44 graduates of IBB Graduate Program of International Studies theses from 2018-2021.
Also, supervised three graduates from the graduate Program in Education thesis in 2019-2020 academic year as well as two BA thesis from African Methodist University and United Methodist University in 2020-2021 academic year.
