Monrovia, January 13, 2025: Barley 72 hours after her historic inauguration as the 16th President of the University of Liberia (UL), Prof. Dr. Layli Maparyan, has hit the ground running.

On her first day at her Capitol Hill office, Dr. Maparyan stuck to a full schedule that included several back-to-back meetings and a tour of the iconic Firestone Quadrangle (FQ) Building.

The Firestone Quadrangle was built by the global giant rubber-producing company Firestone Liberia for the UL Science College in the 60s, and the new UL President wanted to get an immediate first-hand impression of the facility as the UL commences a new academic semester.

Initially constructed as a goodwill gesture by Firestone and used as a lab for the testing of chemicals, the famous FQ is now used mainly for classrooms for undergraduate students.

During the tour, Dr. Maparyan interacted with students in various classrooms, sharing with them her sense of excitement and optimism for the University as well as appreciating students who turned out for class on the first day.

Her interaction with the students included taking selfies, shaking hands, and conveying to them words of motivation and encouragement.

Additionally, Dr. Maparyan visited the UL clinic, and the University of Liberia Faculty Association (ULFA) office, the Office of Students Affairs.

She also visited the Student Center which hosts the University of Liberia Interim Students Leadership Office.

Further, Dr. Maparyan visited Tubman Hall, another iconic building on the Capitol Hill campus, to assess the teaching and learning environment and the University’s preparedness for the resumption of classes.

In that building, Dr. Maparyan visited the Human Resource Office and the Resource Center for Disabilities and Support Services and Alternative Learning (RCDSSAL), among others.

It can be recalled that during her inaugural address, Dr. Maparyan singled out the issues of disabilities as one of her priorities.

She met with the Director of the Resource Center for Disabilities and Support Services and Alternative Learning, Mrs. Saydah Williamson Taylor, and her team.

The tour is intended to give Dr. Maparyan firsthand information on the general outlook of the working and learning environment at UL.

As part of her day’s activities, Dr. Maparyan had meetings separately with USAID Director Jim Wright, her senior office staff, and the Vice President for University Relations Cllr. Norris L. Tweah, and Dr. Lizzie King and Higher Education for Conservation (HECA) Grant Fellows.

Dr. Maparyan interacted with students of the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, University of Liberia, during their orientation program which was held in the auditorium on Capitol Hill.

Addressing the law students briefly, Dr. Maparyan applauded their strive for knowledge as future leaders of Liberia.

Inaugurated on Friday, January 10, 2025, Dr. Maparyan took over from Acting President Prof. Dr. Al-Hassan Conteh following a ceremony held on the UL Fendall campus.