The Perspective
Atlanta, Georgia
February 23, 2021

Tubman University

Education is a right, it is not a privilege to be doled out by officials of Government to a select few, or for only their children, relatives, friends, and associates. It is the responsibility of  every government to make available to its citizens requisite learning resources and to provide the enabling environment to acquire quality education.  No nation can  make progress or  attain a competitive developmental edge without science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematic (STEAM) education in today’s world.

The Tubman University is an outgrowth of the Tubman College of Technology, founded in the 1970s. The Tubman College of Technology prepared mid-level technicians who could even compete with bachelor’s degree level engineers in the country.  This happened because the institution had qualified instructors, standard textbooks, and equipped laboratories.  It is this world-class standard that paved the way for the transformation of the college to a university.

However, the story is different today amidst persistent reports of complaints by students, faculty members and some members of the community regarding official corruption and administrative malpractices at the university.  Just last week, students of the Engineering, Science and Technology College protested  for lack of professors, MATLAB software, and a Dean.  As the issues were being resolved, students of the Management, Health Science, Agriculture, and Education Colleges joined their colleagues en masse to elevate  the protest to another level.

The students presented a position statement to Rep. Isaac Roland Blalu who serves as chairman of the Maryland County Legislative Caucus. The students demanded that rampant official corruption, nepotism,  and gross administrative malpractices at the university be abolished.  They also demanded quality education… “for our generation and the generations to follow”.

And this is happening under the watchful eyes of Dr. Elliott Wleh-Wilson, President of the University! Dr. Elliott Wleh-Wilson is not a stranger to Tubman University.  He once served as the Dean of the Liberal Arts College under the leaderships of Dr. Elizabeth Davis Russell, and Dr. Edward Wonkeryor. 

When he was unceremoniously appointed head of the university by President George Weah, the students warmly embraced him due to the cordial relationship that he had fostered when he was just a dean.  But the eminent professor had no sooner become president of the university than things started to disintegrate. To him, students are now hooligans, rebels, and miscreants for having demanded their rights to quality education.

For years, Dr. Wleh-Wilson, a professor of moral philosophy,  has exuded air of a progressive; that he is altruistic and caring for the wellbeing of students.  But the students have soon realized that his outlook/posture is fake. The students have also realized that the professor almighty has flawed moral behavior, which is uncharacteristic of a professor of moral philosophy.  This behavior is troubling to not only the students, but also to Liberians who believe in the value of quality education.

We are aware that not all the problems are the creation of Dr. Elliott Wleh-Wilson.  All these lawmakers who want the students to believe that TU is also near and dear to their hearts are part of the problems. Since the inception of the university, Maryland and Southeastern lawmakers have rarely  sought the interest of the university during budget hearings.  The Board of Directors, whose Chairman Francis Kateh is said to be involved in what is a conflict of interest, is part of the problem; The Finance Ministry, which withholds funds to the university because administrators do not want to dance to the music the ministry is playing, is part of the problem.  President Weah who proclaimed free university education without budgetary allotment and guidelines is also part of the problems because all the universities have found ways around the proclamation – students are even paying more than before in the name of fees. So, it is good that the students of the great institution are putting fire on the back of the turtles mentioned above.

The grievances of the students coincide with the visit of President Weah to Maryland County. The Liberian Leader, who is the Visitor of the university and Wleh-Wilson’s employer, is going to lodge with Wleh-Wilson.  How pathetic for the aggrieved students!!!!   

E. J. Yancy's Building

Notwithstanding, we call on President Weah to be impartial and to live up to his obligation to ensure that the students are not only heard but their grievances also addressed. The President should note that these students are not hooligans, miscreants, and rebels; they are the future leaders of our country.

In another development, we have received reports that the Presidential Palace on Maryland Avenue, which was purchased by the Doe administration from the family of the late Education Minister E. Jerome Yancy and was later used by former President Sirleaf, is in total ruins. The neglect has placed President Weah in a very difficult position today.  County officials must think adroitly to lead Maryland County to the promised land, and we at The Perspective feel that this is lacking in the county.  THIS MUST CHANGE!!!!