Liberian scholar Madam Burnis Kabay Williams has made her homeland proud by graduating with distinction from Ghana’s University of Cape Coast (UCC), earning a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree in Basic Education and being honored with the prestigious Dean’s Award of Excellence.
Her achievement was celebrated at a vibrant ceremony on Thursday, April 24, 2025, during UCC’s 56th Commencement Convocation.
UCC, one of Africa’s leading institutions, conferred degrees on over 9,000 graduates at the event, including 1,000 master’s degree recipients, of which 51 were awarded an MPhil. In a phone interview with this reporter shortly after the ceremony, Madam Williams expressed her excitement and gratitude for the honor.
She recalled the warnings she received about the rigorous academic environment at UCC but emphasized how that challenge helped shape her into the scholar she is today.
“I cannot just express how I felt, but I was excited,” she said, reflecting on the culmination of her academic journey.
Specializing in the sciences, Madam Williams is particularly passionate about promoting early childhood education in Liberia, encouraging more young Liberians, especially women, to pursue careers in science. She highlighted the importance of strengthening Liberia’s educational foundation, particularly at the primary education level.
In a letter dated April 16, 2025, UCC confirmed Madam Williams’ achievement: “According to your records, you have presented your final research paper in partial fulfillment for the award of MPhil (Basic Education). We are happy to inform you that your work has been identified for the Dean’s Award of Excellence.”
Madam Williams plans to return to Liberia and contribute to the country’s education sector, particularly in primary science education. She is advocating for more opportunities for girls and women to enroll in science programs to address the nation’s education challenges.
Despite significant improvements in access to education, Liberia’s education sector continues to face challenges. According to UNICEF Liberia’s 2023 Country Office Annual Report, while enrollment rates in primary education and early childhood education have risen, the overall quality of education remains a concern.
The report highlighted the delayed launch of a national learning assessment system, which limits data accuracy on the actual status of student learning.
Madam Williams emphasized the need for the government and development partners to invest more in women’s higher education. “The quality of education remains a challenge, but we can overcome it if we invest in research and the education of our young girls,” she said.
Her academic journey was supported by the World Bank-funded ARISE Project, facilitated through Liberia’s Ministry of Education. Her award-winning research, titled “Influence of Teaching Pedagogy on Students’ Attitude Towards Primary Science in Left Bank #2, Liberia,” has been archived at UCC as a high-ranking academic work.
Looking forward, Madam Williams shared her ambition to pursue a Ph.D. and urged the government to create a bribe-free education system, increase investment in academic research, and fund graduate studies within West Africa, where programs are often more cost-effective.
For Madam Williams, the future is bright, and she hopes to inspire other Liberian women in education, with her motto being, “the sky is the limit.”
