The Grand Kru Technical College (GKTC), Barclayville, Grand Kru County, is expected to commence classes in March 2024.
The GKTC, which is the only technical college in the southeastern region and second in the Republic of Liberia, will be offering associate of arts (AA) degree courses in engineering and technology, business, natural sciences, agriculture, education and health sciences. In the meantime, the college will commence offering degrees in education, agriculture and engineering technology.
A GKTC press release issued yesterday says the school’s vision is aligned with that of other colleges and universities in Liberia, which include empowering the population by shaping and enlightening their minds by unlocking their full potentials to make meaningful contributions to the society.
Established by an Act of the National Legislature on March 14, 2019, a Board of Trustees of the college was appointed by former President George Manneh Weah on January 18, 2022 to derive policy directions and guide the college’s administration.
According to the release, the approved 70 credit hours as recommended by the curriculum committee are required for a student to successfully complete the two-year AA degree programs.
The board, since its appointment, has hit the ground running, covering several essential and stringent academic measures to ensure that the GKTC fulfills its core values, missions and objectives to the greater Liberian society, particularly, Grand Kru County.
The release said 100 candidates sat the college’s entrance exams across Grand Kru and in Pleebo, Maryland County. The candidates, according to the release, expressed excitement to enroll upon commencement of classes for the first semester in academic year 2024.
The GKTC press release further said, owing to numerous appeals for enrollment, a third entrance exam is scheduled for February 17, 2024.
“In May 2022, a successful workshop for the establishment of the college was held in Monrovia at the Corrina Hotel in Sinkor, under the theme, ‘Grand Kru Technical College: Opportunities to Make a Difference’.
“Chaired by Professor Dr. Weade Kobbah-Boley, the session was used to fine-tone the directions for the functioning of the college, as it brought together distinguished academicians (sons and daughters) from Grand Kru County, and executives of the National Commission on Higher Education, University of Liberia, (UL) and two members of the National Legislature of Liberia, Honorable Nimene T. H. Bartekwa, Sr. Chairman, Grand Kru County Legislative Caucus and members of the Board of Trustee as well as Honorable Dr. George Boley, former Co-Chair, House Committee on Education,” the GKTC release observed.
“The session helped to set up three committees: Research, Planning, and Curriculum. The Research Committee headed by a distinguished educator and a son of Grand Kru County, Prof. Stephen M. Jubwe, and Co-Chaired by an illustrious academician, author and a son of Grand Kru, Associate Professor Josephus M. Gray,” the release added.
The release also said the Planning Committee is chaired by a renowned educator, politician and a son of Grand Kru County, Prof. Dr. Togba Nah-Tipoteh.
The committee was involved in setting up the direction and put into place short-term, middle-term and long-term plans for the Grand Kru Technical College.
The Curriculum Committee, chaired by a respectable son of Grand Kru, Assistant Associate Professor Adolphus Nippae, was instrumental to the revision of the college’s curricula, including upgrading the curricula to a two-year degree-granting programs, the release said.
Meanwhile, renovation is in progress in Barclayville to give the college’s campus and administrative residences a deserving facelift ahead of the commencement of classes, the press release said.
The GKTC release also indicated that the opening and furnishing of the Monrovia office of the college, located on the First Floor of Raymond Building at the intersection of Broad and Gurley Streets, is a mark of achievement that will ensure the smooth operation of the college.