|
The Victor E. Ward Educational Fund of Liberia to Welcome
Assessment Team of Kenyan Professors at the University of
Liberia Chemistry Department
Monrovia,
Liberia - March 13, 2009 - The Ward Educational Fund of Liberia
will welcome Professors Geofrey Kamau, Ph.D. and Shem Wandiga,
Ph.D. from the University of Nairobi on Saturday, March 16th,
2009 as they begin a six-day visit to assess the needs of
the UL Chemistry Department as a first step toward rebuilding
the department .
The
trip is being sponsored by UNESCO, The Ward Educational Fund,
and the University of Liberia. Vickie E. Ward, daughter of
the late Victor E. Ward (former Chairman of the Chemistry
Department, UL) revealed that this is a trip that has "been
in the works since reconnecting with an old friend, Dr. Amy
Howell, Professor of Chemistry at the University of Connecticut."
She went on to say, "It is through Dr. Howell's connection
with Dr. Kamau, a former student of the University of Connecticut,
that this trip has been made possible. I want to thank Amy
for her vision and guidance and Drs. Kamau and Wandiga for
their willingness to make the trip. The Ward Fund is happy
to be a part of this effort to assist the University of Liberia
in the area of Chemistry.
The
professors will be meeting with the University's administration,
and staff and students in the Chemistry Department. They have
a tight schedule of activities that is focused on assessing
the needs of the chemistry department as they relate to reestablishing
a viable and effective teaching function at the undergraduate
level. At the end of their visit, they will provide the University
of Liberia with a written report of their findings.
Dr.
Shem Wandiga has a Ph.D. from Case Western University, USA
and he has worked as a consultant on UNESCO, World Bank and
UNEP projects undertaken in Kenya and Eastern Africa. Dr.
Geofrey Kamau has a Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut,
USA and he has taught Inorganic, Physical and Analytical Chemistry
from the undergraduate to postgraduate levels.
The
University of Liberia has been providing an education in chemistry
since the late 1950's when Liberia's first chemist, the late
Victor E. Ward, established the department after completing
his studies in the United States. Professor Ward was killed
in the1990 war on the Fendall campus of the University.
The
Victor E. Ward Educational Fund, established in 2001, is a
U.S. recognized 501 c 3 non-profit organization with a mission
to promote education in science, especially in the field of
chemistry. It is also a registered NGO in the Republic of
Liberia that works everyday to carry out the life work and
legacy of Professor Ward. - The End -
|
