Liberia: Orange Foundation Donates State of the Art Computer Lab to Cuttington University.
Computer lab at Cuttington University
As part of its ongoing efforts to bridge the digital divide by increasing access to computer technology, the Orange Foundation has turned over a state-of-the-art computer laboratory to the administration of Cuttington University. The turning-over ceremony was held on September 23rd at the university’s campus in Gbarnga, Bong County.
The head of the Orange Foundation, Madam Sara Buchanan disclosed that that computer lab had been implemented as part of an Orange Foundation program called the “Wologizi Initiative.” She explained that the Wologizi Initiative had a goal of ensuring that university students across Liberia had access to computer technology to facilitate learning, research, and distance education.
The new lab at Cuttington University includes thirteen brand new computers with headsets, thirteen computer desks with chairs, a fifty-five-inch smart television, a projector with screen and a large digital clock. Each of the computers were outfitted with a software to allow visually impaired students to utilize them.
Madam Buchanan revealed that the total cost of setting up the multi-purpose computer lab was twenty-one thousand United States Dollars (US$21,000). She explained that the Foundation’s primary interest in establishing the computer labs at various university was a part of its commitment to accelerate what she referred to as “digital inclusion” in Liberia.
Since the Wologizi initiative was launched in 2020, a total of three universities in three counties have benefited. The universities are the African Methodist Episcopal University (AMEU), The African Methodist Episcopal Zion University (AMEZU), and now the Cuttington University in Suakoko. A total of 5,000 students will benefit from the initiative annually.
Madam Buchanan explained that more labs are expected to be dedicated in the not-too-distant future.