Fendall Louisiana, Mont. County, Oct. 30, 2024: The University of Liberia (UL) is the beneficiary of a donation containing several sealed boxes of state-of-the-art printing and cutting machines and equipment that would be used to set up a functioning printing press at the University of Liberia.
The donation was made by Changsha University of Science and Technology in the People’s Republic of China, and was delivered by the Chinese Ambassador to Liberia, H.E. YIN Chengwu, to the Administration of the UL at the University’s Fendall campus on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024.
Making the presentation, Ambassador Chengwu said the donation was the latest achievement of cooperation between Changsha University of Science and Technology and the University of Liberia, adding that it marks “a concrete manifestation of friendship between China and Liberia in the field of education.”
Following the donation ceremony, the UL Administration and the Chinese Ambassador and entourage participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a multi-purpose building to host the printing press.
In 2019, the UL Administration made a formal request for support for the establishment of a University Printing Press to the Administration of Changsha University in China. 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.
During the presentation of the equipment, Ambassador Chengwu said that the printing equipment would enhance quality teaching and learning at the University of Liberia.
“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 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.”
Amb. Chengwu named the construction of the UL Fendall campus, the awarding of several scholarships to Liberian students to study in China and return to contribute to the country’s development agenda.
Amb. Chengwu expressed optimism that the effective usage of those equipment will yield the needed results of acquiring quality teaching and learning.
For his part, UL Acting President, Dr. Al Hassan Conteh, in receiving the equipment on behalf of the UL, expressed thanks to Amb. Chengwu and the Changsha University for the donation.
“We sincerely appreciate your gesture of friendship not only as a donation but as a sign of Changsha’s belief in the mission of the University of Liberia to elevate higher education in our nation,” Dr. Conteh said. “Such contribution helps us build the foundation upon which our students can achieve excellence and reinforce the bond between the two institutions united in a common goal.”
Dr. Conteh particularly expressed delight in the importance of the donation to the UL mission of promoting quality research, teaching and learning.
“This donation of printing materials significantly boosts our infrastructure and capabilities and enable 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.
Meanwhile, the Acting UL President has declared the establishment of the UL Printing Press to ensure the earliest and effective use of the printing equipment donated by Changshai University.
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.
