Monrovia – The Guest Speaker of the 8th induction ceremony of the LUX – IN – TENEBRIS Scholars Program, Del-Francis N. Wreh said without quality education, the society spirals into waste where ignorance thrives over wisdom, dishonesty becomes the widely accepted norms, and integrity and principle-centered decisions are second to dis-ingenuousness.
Speaking on the topic: “Preparing University Honors Students for Sustainable Contributions to National Development he said, an advanced society is not only measured by the number of students that are admitted or have graduated from the university; it is not only the number of degree holders that are holding strategic positions; it is also not only the articulation and eloquence of the citizens; but by the level of effort which each student is required to invest while at the university, the quality of the instructions, and the technology/infrastructure that exist.
The Guest Speaker pointed out that these factors, must at all times, drive our desire and aspirations for preparing the next generation.
Speaking on the Fendel Campus of the University of Liberia over the weekend, Mr. Wreh said: “We must detest any form of weakness and overt display of paper-made diploma/degrees to demonstrate our acceptance and preparation for the task in providing transformative leadership for the greater good of our society. The system for preparing our next generation must entail and instill the discipline for genuine success. It must be productive and matched by efficiency, reliability, creativity, and innovation,”
LIMPAC boss added that the education programs in Liberia must respect and reward brilliance and hard work over mediocrity and laziness; it must accept development of new ideas through an innovative and ingenious approach rather than suppression of freedom of expression of thoughts; it must support the best and deserving students but not let the weak ones unattended; it must encourage dissent, not disrespect to authorities and fellow colleagues; it must promote full utilization of the human mind through nonacademic programs.
“Our honors students coming into this program must show true colors of scholars, determine with a strong sense of responsibility, honesty, hard work and professionalism. This is only when we will see “the light at the end of the tunnel” or “the brighter side of life.” Anything short of designing a system that underpins the above aspirations and elements of a balanced and supportive education system will lead to chaos in the larger society,” he stressed.
The Liberian financial expert said for the honor students to make sustainable contributions to National Development; the Pro-Poor Agenda for prosperity & Development and other future development agenda, those within the government, academic community, and private sector must provide needed incentives for our students / scholars to rise up to the challenges of the academic environment and society.
The Guest Speaker warned the students: “To our honor students, your contributions to national development must not be skewed and hinged predominantly on your membership or relationship with the ruling party or a particular opposition political party. It must not only be based on government jobs or support. Rather, it must be based on the level of education and the possibility to reshape the national discourse and development programs. Some of you (scholars) may get a placement in a decent company or organization or government agency while some may not. Those who get the opportunity off the university must harness and leverage it to the extent that the next person in line can be trusted and provided with similar opportunity. Do not get a new job and think your duty to society stops with the job. A new job is not a platform to enrich you but to make meaningful and sustained contribution to the society so that others underprivileged at lower end of society benefit, manifesting the pro-poor ideology. You must set yourself apart and use the wisdom continuously to find solution to the perennial challenges facing the community,”
According to the Executive Director of Liberia Macroeconomic Policy Analysis Center (LIMPAC) at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, the honor students that they should scribe to cardinal standards, which include: 1. Striving for excellence: developing a strong work ethic and consciously doing one’s very best in all aspects of college. 2. Cultivating personal and academic integrity: recognizing and acting on a sense of honor. 3. Contributing to a larger community: recognizing and acting on one’s responsibility to the educational community and to the wider society local, national, and global. 4. Taking seriously the perspectives of others: recognizing and acting on the obligation to inform one’s own judgment; engaging diverse and competing perspectives as a resource for learning, citizenship, and work. 5. Developing competence in ethical and moral reasoning: developing and using ethical and moral reasoning in your learning and in your life. As we all strive to make sustainable contributions for the achievement of the Pro-Poor Agenda, the Liberia Macroeconomic Policy Analysis Center sees you, the honor students and general student body, and entire UL leadership and family as critical partners for collaboration. Consistent with this belief, LIMPAC has remained engaged with the University of Liberia; providing support to the financial aid programs of the University of Liberia Student Union (ULSU) and other campus based organizations.
However, he said as one of the emerging Policy Think Tanks in Liberia, LIMPAC welcomes recent decision by H.E. President George Manneh Weah on free tuition for undergraduate students of the University of Liberia and students of community colleges across Liberia. This decision is true manifestation of a Pro-Poor initiative especially during these critical periods of economic difficulties. To minimize potential abuse and misuse of the tuition free policy, LIMPAC will provide policy advisory services (like we have done in other policy areas) to the UL and GoL to the guide policy implementation to ensure that the targeted beneficiaries are truly covered and value for money is achieved.
Meanwhile, Del-Francis N. Wreh was also admitted into the Lux-In-Tenerbris Scholars Program.