— Breaks ground for the construction of Printing Press Facility in Fendell
Authorities at the University of Liberia (UL) celebrated a valuable donation from the Government of the People’s Republic of China. The handover ceremony, attended by distinguished guests including the Chinese Ambassador to Liberia, honored the strengthening ties between the two nations in the realm of education.
The equipment is valued at US$80,000 (Eighty Thousand United States Dollars) according to Madam Zhou Hongzhuan, the Co-Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Liberia, and Representative of the Changsha University of Science and Technology.
In 2019, the UL Administration made a formal request to the Administration of Changsha University in China For support to establish its own Printing Press. The request was then approved and accepted, but processing and delivery of the equipment was delayed due to the prevalence of the coronavirus pandemic which started in 2019.
The equipment comprised giant-sized cutting paper machines, high speed multi-color printers, laminating machines, greasing machines, binding machines, office usage machines, supporting consumer boxes and accessories, among others.
The Chinese Ambassador to Liberia, YIN Chengwu, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to address the gathering, congratulating the University’s faculty and students for their efforts in making the event a success. Ambassador Chengwu in his opening remarks highlighted that this donation exemplifies the growing cooperation between the China University of Science and Technology and UL, signifying a concrete manifestation of friendship between China and Liberia.
The Ambassador emphasized the potential of the new printing equipment to enhance the academic capabilities of UL, particularly benefiting students in health and education fields. He also reflected on the longstanding educational exchanges between Liberia and China, citing that since the co-founding of the Confucius Institute in 2008, thousands of Liberian students have pursued studies in China.
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During his remarks, the Ambassador mentioned China’s ongoing commitment to educational support in Africa, bolstered by recent cooperative agreements established at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation summit. He reaffirmed China’s dedication to elevating its relationship with Liberia to a strategic partnership, focusing on practical cooperation in various fields, notably education.
“I believe these printing equipment will facilitate the UL in teaching, in administration, and help students for better study,” Amb. Chengwu said.
He recounted some of the benefits China-Liberia relations has accrued, adding that “China and Liberia have carried out a series of mutual cooperation that culminated in the awarding of several grants and aids, mainly in the areas of education, technical, infrastructure, social and economic.”
Acting President of UL,Prof. Dr. Al-Hassan Conteh, took the stage to express heartfelt gratitude to the Chinese government for its historical and ongoing support. He noted the construction of a new building on campus between 2005 and 2009, underscoring its significance as a manifestation of the cordial relations shared between Liberia and China.
Konteh expressed optimism about the recent donation, stating that the printing machines will substantially enhance the university’s educational infrastructure and capabilities. “This contribution builds the foundation upon which our students can achieve excellence,” he said.
“This donation of printing materials significantly boosts our infrastructure and capabilities and enables us to enhance our research, teaching and learning experiences, ” Dr. Conteh mentioned.
Additionally, Dr. Conteh stressed that the printing machines will facilitate the production of high-quality educational materials to provide excellence in education.“The new facilities will house our printing operations and serve as a hub for innovation, creativity and knowledge sharing, ” he assured.
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The Acting President also announced plans for establishing a temporary printing and press facility at Capitol Hill Campus until a new building is completed. He encouraged the university community to commence printing operations soon, envisioning a hub for innovation and creativity.
In closing, both the Ambassador and Konteh expressed their shared vision for a brighter future rooted in collaborative partnerships and a commitment to academic excellence.
For one and a half decade now, the Chinese government has contributed to the University of Liberia (UL) in several ways, including: funding In 2006, China provided $21.8 million to renovate and build the Fendall Campus for Engineering at UL. Construction began in 2008 and was completed in 2010. raining: China offers short, medium, and long-term training opportunities to Liberian students.
In furtherance of its commitment to maintain and promote its relationship with Liberia and its continuous support for the realization of the objective of the national development plan, the Pro Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD), during former President George Weah’s administration, the Government of China awarded an amazing 190 scholarships to Liberian students to pursue graduate studies in various disciplines, just as the government being upbeat and excited has commended the initiative from the Chinese government and people.
