UNDP Donates US$30K Equipment to University of Liberia

Monrovia – As part of support to institutions in the Liberia, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has presented equipment worth US$30,000 to the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law at the University of Liberia.

Report by Willie N. Tokpa, [email protected]

The equipment, according to UL, is the UNDP own way of helping to refurbish the Legal Aid Clinic of the Law school.

“The Legal Aid Clinic is aimed at strengthening clinical legal education as well as providing basic but important legal aid services and advice to socially disadvantaged groups on a wide-range of legal issues,” UL Vice President for Public Affair, Atty. Norris Tweah said in a communication.

According to Tweah, the facility will also afford law students the opportunity to put theory into practical at an early stage in their legal career.

Equipment presented include, a 15KVA generator, computers, an executive desk, air-conditioners, computer accessories, desktops and many others.

The legal aid clinic is expected to be run by law students with supervision from the law school faculty.

Making the presentation on behalf of UNDP, the Rule of Law Adviser of UNDP, Mr. Maarten Barends, assured that the UN agency will fully support the refurbishment of the Legal Aid Clinic.

“As as long as we support the rule of law, we will do our best to support this project,” Mr. Barends said.

Mr. Barends said in addition to giving the Legal Aid Clinic a facelift, the UNDP has also provided one 15KVA generator, office furniture,  ICT equipment, four sets of Dell computers with accessories, laptops, a multipurpose MVP HP Color LaserJet Printer, one projector, four desktop computers with LaserJet 410A ink and a variety of stationeries to the school.

“This gesture from the UNDP to the Law School is indeed a fundamental initiative that will go a long way in alleviating some of the challenges the Law School faces,” Mr. Barends added, stating that the  UNDP will work with authorities of the UL to make the Legal Aid clinic fully operational.

“The project is the beginning of many more projects the UNDP intends to provide for the University of Liberia, including the provision of support for scholarly publications, scholarships and developing platforms for seminars and dialogues for students and faculty,” UNDP official said.

Receiving the equipment on behalf of the University, the Dean of the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, Cllr. Nagbalee Warner, praised the UNDP for its continued support to strengthening institutions in Liberia, especially, institutions that are enhancing the rule of law in Liberia.

 “We are deeply honored by the support that UNDP has extended the Law School,” he said.

“Refurbishing of our legal Aid Clinic will now afford current and incoming students the opportunity to increase their experience at the Law School in a practical way. The equipment would therefore elevate the teaching and learning experience of our faculty and students respectively.”