Rédaction Africa Links 24 with New Dawn
Published on 2024-02-28 22:35:11
Booker Washington Institute, located in Kakata, Margibi County, has established itself as Liberia’s premier technical and vocational institute. Currently offering associate degree and diploma programs to the country’s youthful population, BWI is now advocating for the government to grant it full university status in order to better serve the public.
Principal Attorney Harris Fumba Tarnue recently made a plea during the school’s graduation ceremony, calling on the government to elevate BWI to university status. He emphasized the need for full support from the government, particularly during President Joseph Boakai’s first term. Tarnue expressed the institute’s desire to become Liberia’s first T-VET University and requested the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning to reinstate the grant status that had been removed by the previous leadership.
With the restoration of the grant status, BWI aims to enhance its autonomy and deliver higher quality T-VET education to Liberian youth. Tarnue highlighted the institute’s ongoing projects, such as the mechanical workshop funded by the EU under UNIDO’s Youth Rising Project, which aims to contribute to national development policies.
The graduation ceremony held on February 24, 2024, saw 452 young men and women receive their certificates after completing vocational training programs. Students from various departments, including business, building trades, agriculture, and electricity, were recognized for their hard work and dedication. Principal Tarnue commended the graduates for successfully completing the Ministry of Education’s prescribed curriculum.
BWI continues to prioritize capacity-building for its staff members, with plans for further training and education opportunities. Tarnue mentioned the return of staff members from study programs in China, as well as ongoing initiatives funded by the European Union and the Swedish Fund. Additionally, T-VET instructors have received specialized training in automotive, carpentry, machinery, and information technology from countries like Kenya, Zambia, and South Africa.
Established in 1929 under the administration of late President Charles Dunbar Burgess King, Booker Washington Institute remains a symbol of technical and vocational education in Liberia. Named in honor of the renowned Afro-American scholar and educator, BWI is committed to providing quality training programs to the country’s youth.
As BWI strives to obtain university status and expand its educational offerings, the institution looks forward to the continued support of the government and its development partners. Through collaboration and dedication, BWI aims to fulfill its mission of producing skilled professionals and contributing to Liberia’s socio-economic development.
Read the original article on The Newdawn Liberia
