German Firm PHYWE Assesses University of Liberia Science Labs

Published: August 5, 2026

MONROVIA — Science laboratories at the University of Liberia are either unfit for the curriculum or not working at all, and the university has brought in a German laboratory equipment manufacturer to assess them, though no agreement, cost or funding source has been settled.

Representatives of PHYWE met UL President Dr. Layli Maparyan and the deans and chairpersons of colleges running science programs, including public health and engineering, on Monday, and began touring laboratories on the university’s campuses Tuesday. The tour is to end at the David A. Straz Sinje Technical and Vocational College in Grand Cape Mount County.

Maparyan said laboratory restoration is among her priorities and that the university’s roughly 28,000 students are working without the equipment and consumables their courses require.

“We have suffered with laboratories that don’t meet the needs of our curriculum or our students,” she said.

She said the PHYWE talks are one of several efforts underway.

Vladimir Shelakov, who represented PHYWE and who leads international projects for the LN Education Group, told the deans his company was ready to work with the university and would bring technical support alongside any equipment.

“When we speak about partners, it means that the university and its professors are taking not only the equipment they need to enhance the work, but also our support, which we have in Germany and that we are willing to bring here as we are doing in many other countries around the world,” he said.

Neither UL nor PHYWE said what an upgrade would cost, who would pay for it, when work might begin, or whether any resulting supply contract would be put to competitive bidding.

Dr. Michael Flowers, a member of the delegation, told faculty members to treat the university’s difficulties as openings rather than obstacles and to document what they are dealing with.

“These are opportunities, not big problems as you may see them. Take the opportunities and make sure you use them for the good of your institution and your country,” Flowers said.