Fendall, Liberia (August 3, 2026) – The University of Liberia is exploring a potential Partnership with a German firm that could transform science teaching and research through the modernization of laboratory facilities across its campuses.
University officials on Monday met with a representative of German laboratory equipment company PHYWE to discuss the proposed collaboration, which would see the company provide modern laboratory equipment and technical support to strengthen practical teaching, research and innovation across the institution.
The discussion was ahead of a three-day site visit that will kick off on Tuesday in Fendall and climax on Thursday at the David A. Straz-Sinje Technical and Vocational College in Grand Cape Mount County to identify areas that PHYWE can help with advanced development and equipment.
Members of the delegation meeting with UL authorities in Fendall were Mr. Vladimir Schelakov of Germany, a delegate of PHYWE who is also responsible for LN Education Group’s International Projects, and Dr. Michael Flowers.
Their company, based in Germany with offices in the United States, China, and Dubai, distributes and trains institutions on the use of laboratory equipment for physics, chemistry, biology, and other STEM fields. The company works with more than 100 partners worldwide.
At Monday’s meeting, UL President Dr. Layli Maparyan said upgrading laboratories is one of the university’s most important strategic priorities.
“We’ve suffered with laboratories that don’t meet the needs of our curriculum or our students,” she said.
She informed the guests of UL’s growing student population, which is approximately 28,000, and challenges with providing the necessary equipment and other amenities, including consumables, for the various science labs.
“We’ve made several different kinds of efforts,” Dr. Maparyan said. “We have several lines of action that are in motion. So, this particular activity, this exploration with PHYWE, is actually one of those lines of action.”
Mr. Vladimir Schelakov presented PHYWE’s operations to UL’s science deans and chairpersons, who outlined challenges in their various departments, and expressed hopes of seeing where PHYWE’s services can match their needs, especially in equipping colleges’ labs and providing hands-on training.
Mr. Schelakov emphasized that modern education requires new approaches, citing the growing role of laptops, tablets, artificial intelligence, and online platforms, such as YouTube in student learning.
“And when we speak about the partners, it means that the university and the teachers, professors are taking not only the equipment, but also all our support, which we have in Germany, the same here and all over the world,” he said.
Dr. Michael Flowers urged faculty leaders to document their challenges and align them with national education programs so that the solutions can have a national impact.
The discussions mark a significant effort by the university to strengthen science and technology education, a Partnership for Liberia’s future.