The 101st graduating class of the University of Liberia (UL) comprised of about 3,312 students has recorded for the first time 40 percent female graduates.
The president of the University, Zarwolo Nelson said 235 females are graduating against 203 males in Liberia College alone.
In his special remark, t0he visitor of the UL, President George Weah hailed the outstanding achievement of the female students.
President Weah said the statistics is a sufficient proof that the UL is reducing the literacy disparity between males and females in the educational sector in the society.
The visitor to the UL recognized that this is the first time that a college had put out a significant number of female graduates adding, “To the women; congratulations, bravo!”
He said that was indeed a historic milestone but more to that to celebrate is that it is heart-warming to him personally because of his quest and dedication to the achievement of gender equality in Liberia.
“It is my hope to see females’ percentage increase over the next few years until we can achieve parity amongst college graduates not only at the universities but in the educational sector of Liberia,” Pres. Weah stated.
He then told the graduates that the nam Meni Nina which is derived from the Kpelle language and interpreted as ‘new beginning’ is an appropriate name for a graduating class as graduation should never be seen as an end but an opportunity to begin afresh, meeting new challenges and better equipped with new knowledge that their degrees signify.
The Liberian leader lauded the graduates noting that it is their dedication, commitment and perseverance to studies that has yielded to their success.
Pres. Weah said his government will play its part by ensuring that some of the binding constraints that hamper female-enrollment in institutions are identified and removed.
He outlined the measures put in place in universities and colleges to increase female enrollment which is before the Legislature as well as the payment of WASSCE fees among others, all with the intent of increasing females’ representation in schools.
Meanwhile earlier, Dr. Nelson reported that the UL can now boast of a majority female enrollment in the mother college, the Liberia College, the College of Humanity and Social Sciences, though 57 percent of the overall graduates are males.
He further reported that some of the major developments under his supervision as the first class to experience the e-learning when the University was constrained to fast track its digital approach due to the coronavirus, the restructuring of senior management team to confirm to the vision and agenda of the University, among others.