The proposed William Richard Tolbert Baptist University seems to have gotten a green light after over 40 years of effort to get same underway in the country.
The Christian University is expected to commence in September 2023 and will open to other faith-based students for enrollment. Reverend Samuel B. Reeves, Resident of the Liberia Baptist Missionary & Education Convention Incorporated (LBMEC) made the disclosure having received from the government the green light to operate the University named in honor of William Richard Tolbert Baptist University.
He said in February, 2020 the Baptist Convention under the leadership of Reeves officially launched the William R. Tolbert Baptist University to be operated in the country.
In fulfillment of that program, he continued that the government accepted and has written the convention that the William R. Tolbert University has been accredited to operate as a tertiary institution in the country.
“About 40-years ago, the late President, William R. Tolbert, decided the need for this quality University. This convention under our leadership has received a communication informing us of our University to be named William R. Tolbert Baptist University and has been accredited,” he said.
Reeves once served as Vice Presidential running-mate to Joseph Mills Jones formerly of the Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE) during the 2017 Presidential and Legislative Elections.
He said the founders of the William R. Tolbert anticipated and recognized Religion and Education University would be the bedrock of development of the nation.
Following that the late William R. Tolbert, Jr., was inspired by this guiding principle when he proposed the establishment of a Baptist University in 1964 and 1980.
According to Reeves, the University will provide the practical and relevant training ground for the future leaders of Liberia in the 21st century and beyond.
“The University’s primary aim is to provide practical, hands on, state of the art training ground for Liberians and others in the areas of critical development of the nation,” he said.
Reeve mentioned that emphasis will be placed on Agriculture, Geology, Engineering, Science, Technology, Healthcare, Land and Natural Resources Management, Telecommunications, Information Technology, and environmental science with Christian values like faith, academic excellence, moral integrity, creativity, innovation, academic freedom and hard work.
He envisaged to ensure the University Excellence where God enter leaders and change agents are formed and its mission to create an encouraging, stimulating and research oriented teaching and learning environment that provides students with Christ-like character, positive attitude and exceptional leadership qualities.