MONROVIA, LIBERIA – Sometimes, we overlook important developments that can guide us through challenging situations. Gaining a new perspective can profoundly impact our reactions. This is the case with the University of Liberia (LUX in Tenebris), where people have often misjudged the numerous advancements under the leadership of its student-faculty-centered President, Prof. Dr. Julius Julukon Sarwolo Nelson.
While critics and detractors have focused on the negative aspects due to persistent protests and unfavorable publicity, there are many positive developments at the University of Liberia that contribute significantly to human growth, development, and academic achievements.
Prof. Dr. Josephus M. Gray, Dean of the Amos C. Sawyer College of Social Sciences and Humanities, announced that all prospective graduates of the 104th Class must defend their theses and practical research before the College’s Thesis Committee to fulfill the requirements for a four-year Baccalaureate Degree.
The Sawyer College’s approved curriculum mandates that all prospective graduates write, defend, and present a 40-page thesis on a topic relevant to their discipline. Each student is assigned a professor or instructor to supervise and guide them through the process. Dr. Gray emphasized that thesis defense is a crucial component for earning a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree or a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Degree, highlighting the importance of this academic exercise.
During a meeting on Friday, students expressed their excitement about participating in the academic exercise. They shared the results of their studies, explained the significance of their research, and presented the methodology and findings of their theses.
The reintroduction of the undergraduate thesis at the Amos C. Sawyer College took effect in the 2021 academic year, reinstating a major requirement that had been dormant for about fifteen years. Under Prof. Dr. Julius J.S. Nelson’s administration, the program has been reactivated to a professional standard.
In an interactive session with prospective graduates, Dr. Gray informed the students about the role of the Thesis Committee in evaluating the quality of the theses and examining the candidates to confirm their authorship. The session, held at the Thelma E. Duncan Sawyer Faculty Lounge at the UL Fendall Campus, was informative and well-attended, focusing on information sharing.
Dr. Gray, who is also Sharda University in India’s Ambassador to Liberia, encouraged the students to take their research seriously. He briefed them on the established academic exercise of thesis defense, conducted in accordance with the University of Liberia’s policies and the guidance of the Liberia Institute for Policy Studies and Research. Dr. Gray also emphasized that students must have passed the research methodology course before being authorized to participate in the thesis process, and only candidates with fewer than 13 credit hours remaining would be allowed to write their theses.
The students appreciated the interactive session with Dean Prof. Dr. Gray, expressing gratitude for the guidance provided. Dr. Gray also highlighted the college’s success in integrating research into all degree-granting departments, harmonizing curricula, and introducing standardized research methodology courses to prepare graduates for future job challenges.
The thesis exercise is scheduled to commence in mid-June 2024, supervised by a panel of seven members, including professors, associate professors, and assistant professors from Amos C. Sawyer College. The panel includes Assistant Professor Alexander O. Teaway, Roseline Tomah-Weah (Co-Chair), Dr. Elliot Wreh-Wilson, Cllr. Mark Bedor-Wla Freeman, Dr. Nathaniel G. Gbessagee, Mr. Leviticus O. Kollie, Ernest Winderburk, and Abraham Fofana.
In related developments, Amos C. Sawyer College plans to introduce MSc degree programs in Professional Writing and Communication and in Sociology, pending approval from the University of Liberia’s Faculty Senate. Current curricula in departments such as English and Language Studies, History, Political Science, Geography, Communication and Media Studies, Demography, Sociology, Criminology, Philosophy, and Religious Studies require students to write and defend theses or research projects.
Thesis defense and presentation remain essential components for earning a BA or BSW Degree at the College. On September 8, 2023, and February 9, 2024, the College conducted seminars on research methods and thesis development, focusing on information sharing and brainstorming to enhance research methods teaching and thesis enforcement.
The College continues to harmonize academic department curricula and introduce standardized research methodology courses, helping students advance to senior thesis writing or undertake senior projects as part of their degree requirements. Amos C. Sawyer College is committed to combining practical knowledge with quality learning and teaching, driving community growth and providing flexible and supportive educational programs. The College offers degrees in 13 disciplines and runs certificate and diploma programs in various fields.
Two committees have been formed to plan the establishment of MSc degree programs in Mass Communication, Professional Writing, and Sociology.
