Published: September 22, 2025
MONROVIA — Former National Commission on Higher Education Director General Dr. Michael P. Slawon has urged President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to push for a reassessment of Liberia’s academic programs, arguing that universities must align more closely with the country’s development needs.
In an open letter, Slawon welcomed the University of Liberia’s new Ph.D. in Gender and Security Studies but questioned whether it reflects Liberia’s most urgent priorities.
“While the study of gender and security is of intellectual importance, the nation’s most pressing challenges are socio-economic, requiring immediate and tangible solutions,” he wrote.
Slawon acknowledged Liberia’s progress on gender equality — citing the election of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and growing opportunities for women in education and professional life — but stressed that academic institutions must pivot toward programs that build practical skills to fight poverty, reduce unemployment, and address infrastructure gaps.
He recommended that Liberian universities invest in demand-driven disciplines such as entrepreneurship, information technology and cybersecurity, project management, energy and infrastructure, agriculture and agro-industry, data science, and healthcare technology.
“These fields are not merely academic pursuits; they are the foundations upon which a prosperous and resilient Liberia will be built,” Slawon said.
Such programs, he argued, would create jobs, improve living standards, and meet the country’s most immediate needs. He also offered his expertise in curriculum development and strategic planning to help shape reforms.
“I am confident that with your visionary leadership, the University can continue to be a pillar of excellence and a catalyst for national transformation,” he told President Boakai.
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