Monrovia – The University of Liberia over the weekend dedicated a modern computer laboratory at its Fendell campus, an impressive compilation of 30 computers, a projector screen and the comfort of air conditioner for a conducive learning environment.
The computer laboratory a US$30,000 project is a result of three-year collaboration between the Liberia Coca Cola Bottling Company (LCCBC), the Cummings Africa Foundation and the University of Liberia.
Speaking at the short dedicatory ceremony, the Founder of the Cummings Africa Foundation, Alexander Cummings said support to education was fundamental to the objectives of the Foundation, stressing that it had nothing to do with politics.
The Cummings Foundation in addition to education works in the health and agriculture sectors, working with local nongovernmental organizations to cater for the needs of communities.
The newly dedicated computer laboratory at the Fendell campus of the University of Liberia follows the dedication of same at the St. Clements University College, and the Foundation has announced plan to set up another innovation laboratory at the Tubman University in Maryland County.
Cummings told the ceremony that it was his hope that the computer laboratory would induce innovation in students as they go through the walls of the university. He said his Foundation was committed to giving to assist the education sector of the country.
Cummings said “there was no litmus test” to get support from his foundation, as his decision to support institutions was only based upon merit.
He said innovation was keen to development in any country, and that his Foundation was also committed to maintaining the computer laboratory to make sure its purpose was served.
Responding, outgoing president of the University of Liberia Dr. Emmet Dennis said the computer laboratory would help justify the increment made in the tuition of the university.
Earlier speaking the communication manager of LCCBC Victor George said the soft drink company saw it as a “great thing” to impact the Liberian education sector. He said with the computer laboratory, students could not research whatever they want and even go to the “land of discovery”.
The Cummings Foundation in the past has paid the exams fees of 2,322 students in 21 schools, who also benefited from the tutorial and feeding program for the students. The project cost US$106,000.
On the innovation lab project at St. Clements College and the University of Liberia, the Foundation partnered with Coca Cola to equip the computer laboratory at St. Clements, while a 30-seater computer lab is being finalized for the University of Liberia. The Foundation has disclosed plans to take the innovation labs to other universities. Each of the universities costs US$10,000.
The Foundation is also partnering with My Heart’s Appeal, a local NGO that supports people with disabilities, to set up another innovation lab for the disabled community.
Most recently, Cummings Foundation donated 1,000 pieces of yearbook to the Nimba County Community College, spending nearly US$10,000 for the printing and transporting of the booklets.