(Monrovia, Liberia, March 6, 2025)— The President of the University of Liberia, Dr. Layli Maparyan, has concluded a tour of the Thomas Jefferson Richelieu Faulkner College of Science and Technology and the School of Environmental Studies and Climate Change at the University of Liberia.

The purpose of the tour was to assess the ongoing climate change program at the university and explore ways on how it can be sustained beyond its current funding. Initial funding to the school is expected to end in March 2025.

Speaking during the tour, Dr. Layli Maparyan lauded the EPA and its partners for their contributions to climate change education at the UL.

She acknowledged the impact climate change is having on communities worldwide and that Liberia, with its rich biodiversity, serves as a climate reservoir for the world.

She added that there is an urgent need to train young people in climate-related fields, noting that the country must develop local experts who can take the lead in addressing environmental issues.

Dr. Maparyan acknowledged that even though she is a social scientist by training, she has been actively involved in conservation projects and climate research in the past.

She reaffirmed the UL’s commitment to national development and emphasized the importance of climate change education to the overall objective of that goal.

Dr. Maparyan further assured the EPA, NOVASPHERE, and other stakeholders of the UL’s continuous engagements and support for climate change education in Liberia and the subregion.

Also speaking during the tour, the Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, Dr. Urey Yarkpawolo, praised the role of NOVASPHERE, an NGO supported by the Canadian government’s Climate Support Program, in helping the EPA implement the project.

He noted that NOVASPHERE has assisted in collecting baseline climate data for all 15 counties in Liberia, which will serve as a reference point for measuring progress in the fight against climate change.

He also highlighted the establishment of the Climate Change Laboratory at the university, describing it as a major step toward building Liberia’s capacity in environmental research and sustainability.

Dr. Yarkpawolo also stressed the importance of climate education and research in addressing environmental challenges in Liberia.

Other stakeholders who also toured the facilities included Bomi County Electoral District 3 Representative Sam P. Jallah, the Dean of the Thomas J. Faulkner College of Science and Technology, Climate Change and Environmental Studies, Dr. Charles Ansumana, the Director of the School of Environmental Studies and Climate Change program, Dr. Emmanuel Olatunji, and an array of faculty and staff.

The School of Environmental Studies and Climate Change was officially launched in November 2024 at the University of Liberia.