The Africa International Institute of Science and Technology (AIIST) University College has ushered 125 graduates into the workforce, equipping them with the digital and business skills needed to thrive in today’s tech-driven world.
The institution celebrated its 16th Commencement Convocation at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, marking a milestone for students who overcame significant challenges to reach this academic achievement.
The Class of 2025 included 106 diploma graduates in Business Management Systems, Management Information Systems, Office Productivity, Entrepreneurship, Computer Operation, and QuickBooks. An additional 19 graduates received certificates in Digital Literacy, a program tailored to bridge Liberia’s digital divide.
Delivering the commencement address, Prof. James A. A. Morris underscored the urgency of information technology in shaping the destiny of nations and individuals alike.
“In today’s world, IT is no longer a luxury, it is the lifeline of innovation, opportunity, and progress,” Prof. Morris declared. “It empowers you to multitask, explore global opportunities, and solve problems critically. Yet it also comes with responsibility. Your digital footprint defines who you are, so use it wisely.”
He urged graduates to view themselves not as mere job seekers but as digital creatorsandglobal competitors, capable of transforming Liberia’s economy through technology and entrepreneurship.
For many in the graduating class, the road to success was marked by personal sacrifice.
Valedictorian and Class President, Lisa M. Cassell, who balanced studies at AIIST and STARZ University while holding down full-time employment at GTBank Liberia, described her classmates as a “resilient generation that turned obstacles into steppingstones.”
“There were days when responsibility felt overwhelming and nights filled with doubt,” Cassell admitted. “But behind every graduate seated here today is a story of grit—missed meals, sleepless nights, and hard-won perseverance. We are not just graduates; we are warriors, trailblazers, and dream builders.”
She charged her peers to rise above the pursuit of personal gain and instead “be torchbearers of transformation” for Liberia and beyond.
Acting President, K. Ishmael V. Conneh, hailed the Class of 2025 as “ambassadors of knowledge, discipline, and integrity.” He stressed that AIIST’s reputation rests on merit, not shortcuts.
“At AIIST, integrity thrives, merit is honored, and bribery finds no place,” Conneh emphasized. “Our graduates are distinguished because they endure a rigorous Cumulative Examination Interview Process that ensures competence and credibility.”
Conneh further announced that graduates now have opportunities to pursue tuition-free degree programs in Information Technology, Business Administration, Environmental Science, Electrical Technology, and Islamic Education.
He also appealed to the Board of Trustees to reward the commitment of AIIST faculty and staff with a salary increment, recognizing them as “the silent heroes sustaining the institution’s vision.”
As the graduates tossed their caps into the air, the mood was one of pride, relief, and renewed purpose. Cassell’s closing charge captured the spirit of the convocation:
“We are entering a digital era where our skills, ideas, and courage will define Liberia’s future. Let us be the light bearers who turn challenges into solutions and dreams into realities.”
With their diplomas and certificates in hand, the 125 graduates left the hall not just as students completing a journey, but as pioneers stepping into a tech-driven world that awaits their contributions.
