Capitol Hill, April 24, 2026 – Members of the University of Liberia (UL) 105th Graduating Class from the Department of Economics have donated 39 wooden podiums to support teaching and learning across classrooms at their alma mater.

The podiums were handed over to the university administration during a brief ceremony on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at the Greeleaf Hall (GH) building, which houses the College of Business and Public Administration on the University of Liberia Capitol Hill campus. The ceremony brought together Department of Economics alumni, along with faculty, staff, and students of the university.

Members of the 105th graduating class said they undertook the project to address challenges at the university, including the lack of suitable space in classrooms for professors and lecturers to set down items such as laptops, notebooks, and other teaching materials while instructing students.

Mr. Victor C. Nagbe, class president from the Department of Economics, explained that the effort followed a consensus among students. Nagbe thanked his colleagues and other stakeholders, including faculty members from the economics department and alumni, for their contributions to the project.

“We know that this will not serve as a panacea to all of the challenges at the University of Liberia, but it is our way of contributing. Once we see that there is a need that we actually identify with a particular challenge and bring the requisite solution, we will always be around to help,” said Mr. Nagbe.

He told the gathering that the class carried out the project without any coercion to pay department fees for the initiative. “We sat as a class and we came up with a general decision that there are crushing challenges at the University of Liberia…,” he said.

Economic graduates at the University of Liberia have carried out similar initiatives to help address campus challenges. In April 2025, a group of former students from the Department of Economics who graduated during the 104th Commencement Convocation donated 60 high-quality wooden chairs to the university, fulfilling a pledge to ease seating needs on campus.
Receiving the donated podiums, Dr. Edwin B.R. Gbargaye, Dean of the College of Business and Public Administration, congratulated the 105th graduating class for the contribution.
Dean Gbargaye said the lack of podiums in classrooms affected lecturers. According to him, it was embarrassing at times to teach while holding a water bottle in his hand.

“I, myself, went to class this morning, TH2 (Tubman Hall). I had to hold my stuff in my hand, my water bottle, and I was teaching. It’s embarrassing,” said Dean Gbargaye.

Cllr. Norris L. Tweah, Vice President, University Relations, called the 105th graduating class’s podium donation a step in the right direction, saying it will significantly improve teaching and learning.

“Because when you stand from behind the podium after you leave the board, it gives you confidence. Students look up to you, you know. And so this is great,” said Cllr. Tweah.

He disclosed that it was his second time attending a similar event, adding that the previous class’s donation of chairs sparked other efforts. Cllr. Tweah cited an ongoing production of chairs by the Voice of the Elders, and a fundraising campaign launched by the National Port Authority to address chair issues and other challenges at the university.

“Last time it was chairs. As you know, sitting in this university is a growing concern. We’ve had several protests, class disruption because of chairs,” said Cllr. Tweah. He hailed the students for taking the lead in addressing these issues.

Earlier, Dr. Anthony Kanneh, representing Dr. Agnes Reeves Taylor, Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of Liberia, said it was exciting to accept the podiums on behalf of the university administration. Dr. Kanneh noted that the university would be better if others followed the example of the UL 105th Economics class and took up similar efforts. “This is something that I don’t want you to underestimate. I want you to take it really huge,” he said.