Liberia: UL Gets New Board Chair

The Board of Trustees of the University of Liberia (UL) has unanimously elected Grand Kru County Senator, Numene T. H. Bartekwa, Sr, as the new Chairperson of the University's Board of Trustees. He replaces fellow Southeasterner and Sinoe County Electoral District #3 Representative, Dr. Matthew Gee Zarzar.

Senator Bartekwa was elected Friday, March 1, 2024, during the Board’s 1st quarterly meeting for the year 2024 in the conference room at the Administrative Building on UL’s Capitol Hill campus.

Prior to his election, Senator Bartekwa served as chairman of the Ad hoc Investigative Committee, between the UL Faculty and Students and as Acting Chairperson of the Board of Trustees since Rep. Zarzar had recused himself to pursue the senatorial seat of Sinoe County (and was defeated) during the 2023 legislative elections.

Rep. Zarzar served as chairperson of the UL’s Board of Trustees from August 18, 2019, to February 29, 2024, succeeding former Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor. Former VP Taylor served as the Chairperson of the UL’s Board of Trustees when she was Senator for Bong County, but resigned when elected as Vice President.

The current chairperson of the UL’s Board of Trustees, Sen. Bartekwa, earned his BSc in secondary education from William V S Tubman Teachers College, University of Liberia. He obtained two master's degrees, one in Education Administration and Supervision and another in International Relations.

Senator Bartekwa is the Senate’s Chairman on Concessions and Investment and the Chairman of the Grand Kru County Legislative Caucus.

Others who were also elected are Rev. Dr. Charles Boayue Jr., Co-Chair; Mr. Martin W. Pennie, Secretary and Rep. Dixon W. Seboe, Treasurer.

Composition of the UL’s Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees comprises 16 members, five from the Legislature and 11 from other sectors of the country. The House of Representatives sends three members, while the Senate sends two.To get diverse perspectives and insights, the UL’s board comprises trustee members with various skill sets and experiences.

The Board is responsible for maintaining quality education at the University and is in charge of making high-level decisions. They are individuals committed to achieving the mission and goals of the university by fulfilling fiduciary duties, such as executing institutional policies, approving budgets, and setting overall strategic direction.

They regulate legal and ethical compliance to preserve and protect the reputation of the university.