Capitol Hill (August 27, 2026) – The University of Liberia President honored the 2026 Dux of the West African Senior Student Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) Thursday on Capitol Hill Campus, offering the young scholar admissions to the university with registration fees and transportation costs covered for four years.
Dr. Layli Maparyan also presented Joy Kamara, a senior at Faith Foundation School in Montserrado County, with the “UL Academic Excellence Award achievement” for officially being declared dux over the thousands of candidates who took the test nationwide. The President said Joy is an inspiration to many young people.
Joy earned an aggregated average of 57.54 – 57.55. She invited Joy and parents to her Capitol Hill office to congratulate her and honor her with the award. During their meeting, Dr. Maparyan said UL would cover Joy’s undergraduate studies.
“If you decide to come to the University, it’s on us,” the President told Joy. The entrance exam would be waived for Joy and registration and transportation costs would be covered, she said.
“I have always said that people who do their best in the exams should be able to come to the University free of charge,” Dr. Maparyan said.
Joy expressed appreciation to Dr. Maparyan and said it had been her wish to meet the President. She also disclosed how she has been inspired by the President’s leadership and vision for Liberian students.
“Seeing me, today, shaking her hands is a great privilege, and I feel excited about it,” she said.
Joy’s parents also expressed gratitude to the President for recognizing their daughter’s achievement.
Mr. Kamara said the UL President has made his family proud. He said since the announcement of Joy’s top performance on the test, UL is the only institution to present such an honor and award to his daughter.
