The Liberia Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention has begun the construction of the William R. Tolbert Baptist University on its land on the campus of Ricks Institute, Virginia.
The construction of the university is being supervised by Dr. Linda Moseki, a renowned Engineer from Botswana, who has designed and supervised the construction of several universities on the African continent.
Dr. Moseki is supported by ASARPI, the company hired to construct the university, through a memorandum of understanding (MOU).
The new William R. Tolbert Baptist University will cover a total of 250 acres of land, out of the over 1,000 acres of land owned by the LBMEC on the Ricks Institute campus. The construction will take place in two phases: the first phase involving the development of 125 acres situated north-west of the Ricks campus; the remaining 125 acres will be utilized for the WRTBU farm in the second phase, according to a press release from the Liberia Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention (LBM&EC).
The new facility will feature an administrative section, the senate quarters, a chapel, a library and dormitories for men and women. The university aims to accommodate 500 female and 600 male students.
When constructed, the colleges within the university will have dedicated deans and professors, the release added.
Dr. Arnold G. Hill, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, revealed that Dr. Moseki is currently engaging in consultation with relevant government sectors to obtain the necessary approvals for the construction of the new university.
Recently, as part of effort to further enhance the university’s facilities, the President of the Liberia Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention (LBMEC), Rev. Dr. Samuel B. Reeves, Jr., along with other prominent Baptists paid a courtesy visit on Foreign Minister Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah in order to brief him on activities of the university.
Minister Kemayah lauded the Liberia Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention (LBM&EC) for the establishment of the William R. Tolbert Baptist University, which he said will complement government’s effort in the educational sector.
Minister Kemayah emphasized that education is key to nation building. “The need for education in Liberia cannot be overly emphasize,” he stated. According to a Foreign Ministry release, the Dean of the Cabinet made the remarks on Friday, October 27, 2023, when members of the WRTBU paid a courtesy call on him at his Ministry of Foreign Affairs office on the Capitol Hill.
Minister Kemayah also used the occasion to reiterate the unwavering commitment of President George Manneh Weah to support the efforts of the Liberia Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention (LBM&EC) aimed at impacting the educational sector.
