MONROVIA, April 28 (LINA) - A former lecturer at the University of Liberia, Mr. John Brownell, has presented 1,800 books and journals donated by the University of London to the Physics Department of the University of Liberia.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony held on the University of Liberia Fendall Campus, Mr. Brownell, who is based in the United Kingdom, said he was contacted by Dr. Bobby Sebo, Chairman of the Physics Department, to assist the department.
He said he then contacted universities in the United Kingdom for assistance.
Brownell said he contacted 20 universities and that all of them have assured him of their commitment to assist the University of Liberia, adding, “There is goodwill out there that Liberia stands to benefit from these universities.”
He said most of the universities he contacted never believed that people were reading physics in post-war Liberia, so they were enthusiastic to give assistance to the University of Liberia.
He expressed regret that the University of Liberia does not have females majoring in physics and indicated that as an encouragement he will personally provide two scholarships to female students who decide to study physics at the University.
He also offered to teach at the Physics Department next semester, and disclosed that some university professors in the United Kingdom have expressed willingness to offer their services to the University of Liberia through a sabbatical.
Receiving the Books, Dr. Sebo lauded Mr. Brownell for scouting for the books, noting that the department was in dire need of such books.
He pointed out that when he took up assignment at the University of Liberia there were no textbooks in the Physics Department, but each course now has books through former UL students and instructors’ initiatives.
Dr. Sebo said what the Physics Department urgently needs now are laboratory equipment and the development of faculty and staff.
Also speaking at the ceremony, the Dean of the College of Science and Technology at the University of Liberia, Dr. Ophelia L. Weeks, lauded Mr. Brownell for seeking the donation and assured that the books would be used for intended purpose.
LINA RD/TSS/PTK