Monrovia – The University of Liberia at the Ministerial Complex has launched the Center for Diaspora and Migration Studies as part of its 71st Founder’s Day International Conference.
The theme of the event was, the UL Renaissance, a National Bicentennial Commemoration.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Molefi Kete Asante, a professor and chair of the College of Liberal Arts Africology and African American Studies at the Temple University in America praised the University of Liberia for its long history of building the minds of Africans across the globe.
Launching the Center for Diaspora and Migration Studies at the University of Liberia, Dr. Asante admonished the University for its Long History of courage and devotion. Something he says has benefited the African community worldwide.
“It is no wonder that the University of Liberia has become the fertile ground for the idea of African Diaspora Studies. This pivot will allow you to advance a thousand-fold and bring many other people and nations to honor the work you will do,” Dr. Asante said.
He added: “President Nelson, I come to tell you what you know and that is we must maintain vigilance, and encourage democracy, individual and collective rights, and the rule of law. The University of Liberia sits at the front steps of our adventure in African Diaspora Studies.”
The professor and chair of the College of Liberal Arts Africology and African American Studies at the Temple University in America also calls on Liberians both home and abroad to assume its rightful place on the Africa continent.
“I am giving this challenge to Liberia. You must make the Diasporic pivot and claim for Africa all its contributions and achievements. No nation is more qualified than you to become the striker for African unity,” he said.
According to the professor and chair of the College of Liberal Arts Africology and African American Studies at the Temple University, Pan African is not merely a theory and a slogan, but a practice.
“The African Renaissance is a concrete practice of Pan Africanism. What country is best prepared by experience and history to lead such a renaissance for the continent? Liberia is prepared, also, by its ideological, security, economic, and social history with the United States,” he said.
Dr. Asante added: “Today I challenge Liberia to assume its rightful place as the modern assertion of a true integration of this continent in a Pan African way. You do not define your history; your history defines you. Our task is to make a new future grounded on African ideas and values.”
Also speaking, the president of the University of Liberia Dr. Julius Nelson praised other institutions of higher learning for collaborating with the University of Liberia; something he says has been recognized as a means of complementing the government efforts.
“As we commemorate our founding of 71 years by hosting this two-day international conference under the theme, the UL Renaissance, it is expected as it is seen today, to bring together the UL faculty, staff, and students, along with Liberians from all walks of life,” Dr. Nelson said.
The UL president also commended Dr. Asante for serving as chief launcher of the Center for Diaspora and Migration studies.
He added: “This UL Founder’s Day will certainly recall memories of Liberia College, the precursor of the University of Liberia, and look at its challenges and prospects within the context of the University Renaissance during the two-day international conference.”