The University of Liberia (UL) has made history with the official launch of its first Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program, beginning with the College of Health Sciences. The milestone was celebrated over the weekend with an orientation ceremony attended by government officials, international partners, and key stakeholders, including the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL).
The program will initially focus on four disciplines, biomedical science, public health, epidemiology, and biostatistics. Its goal is to train highly skilled researchers and leaders capable of addressing Liberia’s pressing health challenges through advanced research and innovation.
UL President, Dr. Layli Maparyan, described the launch as a proud and transformative moment for the institution and the country.
“This is the first of its kind in our nation’s history,” she said. “To witness the first cohort of PhD students begin their journey under my leadership is both humbling and historic.”
Providing an overview of the program, Dr. Peter S. Humphrey explained that the curriculum spans four years, divided into two phases. The first two years cover coursework, seminars, and comprehensive exams, while the final two years focus on dissertation research and defense. Students will also be trained in scientific writing, grant development, teaching, and research ethics.
Vice President for the College of Health Sciences, Dr. Bernice T. Dahn, officially welcomed the first group of PhD students, recalling that the program was conceived in 2021 following a World Health Organization (WHO) call for countries to strengthen pandemic preparedness.
“We seized that moment to build a program that will grow our own timber, well-trained Liberian researchers,” she noted.
Representatives from WHO, Africa-CDC, and the Ministries of Health and Agriculture praised the initiative, describing it as vital for advancing Liberia’s healthcare and research systems. Development partners pledged ongoing support to ensure the program’s success.
The launch of UL’s PhD program marks a new chapter in Liberia’s higher education sector and demonstrates a strong commitment to strengthening the country’s research and health capacity.
