A Liberian Security expert, Augustine T. Larmin, has graduated with a Ph.D. in Security Studies from the School of Politics, Security, and International Affairs at the University of Central Florida (UCF).
The graduation ceremony, held on December 15, 2023, was attended by family members, friends, and security officials from Liberia and the United States, and prominent among them was former Defense Minister, Brownie J. Samukai.
Larmin is the first Liberian to achieve a Doctor of Philosophy in Security Studies, a five-year, in-person (face-to-face) program for military officers and security personnel of the United States and friendly countries, and focuses on counterterrorism, intelligence, international, and national security.
Speaking at the ceremony, Larmin thanked the people and government of the United States for allowing him to achieve his dream in a fully funded program, which allowed him to live and study there with his family for over five years.
He said the funding was based on an assistantship where he had to teach and mentor students while pursuing his doctorate, thus playing several roles during his studies, including Research Assistant, Adjunct, and Lecturer of Security Studies at the School of Politics, Security, and International Affairs at UCF.
According to Larmin, his Ph.D. dissertation focused on civilian deaths during armed conflicts in sub-Saharan Africa, aimed to save lives because civil wars are brutal to civilians, and aims to find out why.
Larmin further emphasized “If we learn why, we can save lives. It aims to increase our understanding of violence during armed conflict and address challenges to peace and security.”
“It stimulates an understanding of group motives that allow the international community to intervene to prevent violence against vulnerable populations, mainly refugees, internally displaced persons, migrants, and victims of human trafficking,” he noted.
The country’s first Ph.D. holder, at the same time, pledged to return home to help tackle Liberia’s emerging security challenges, disclosing that it had been his post-graduation plan to help improve Liberia’s security institutions.
He also encouraged other Liberians to continue scouting for opportunities and making Liberia a proud country, but stressed the need for the incoming Unity Party (UP) Administration to increase the likelihood of him returning to serve his country.
Also speaking at the colorful event was former Defense Minister, Brownie Samukai, who thanked Larmin, who he said once served the MoD, encouraging him to return home to contribute to Liberia’s security sector.
“Being one of the first Liberians to obtain a doctorate Degree in Security Studies is a huge milestone, and you have made me so proud and have also made Liberia very proud. I now encourage you to go back home and help develop the security sector, because it needs your expertise,” the former Minister added.
Meanwhile, in addition to his PhD dissertation, Larmin has four other research projects, one of which examined female combatants and gender relations in post-conflict Liberia, and was published by the United Nations-WILDER.
In a release read on the website of the MOD, Larmin joined the Ministry in an entry-level position in 2006 and served in different roles for 18 years, with his previous role as Assistant Defense Minister for Operations.
He also served in other capacities, including Assistant Defense Minister for Administration, Director for Human Resources, Director for Logistics, Procurement, and Transportation, Director for Administration, and Deputy Director for Plans and Policy.
Larmin is a trained security personnel who underwent training at various military institutions, including the African Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS) at the National Defense University in Washington DC (2014 and 2016), the Naval Post-Graduate College in Monterey, California (2016), the Department of War Studies, Kings College London (2008), and the National Defense University in Beijing, China (2006).
He has a BA in Political Science from AME University (2004), an MA in International Relations from IBB University of Liberia (2011), and an MPA from Cuttington University (2013).
