The MKNK Foundation has recorded a significant outcome in the recent University of Liberia (UL) entrance examinations, with nearly half of its sponsored candidates successfully gaining admission eligibility.
According to a statement released by the Foundation, 48 out of 100 beneficiaries sponsored for the 2025/2026 UL entrance process have passed so far, marking what the organization described as a strong return on investment in youth education.
The Foundation disclosed that it deposited L$300,000 directly into the GT Bank account of the University of Liberia to cover entrance examination fees for 100 financially disadvantaged candidates.
In addition to the sponsorship, beneficiaries received one month of free intensive tutorial and preparatory classes to improve their readiness for the exams.
Several candidates recorded notably high scores, including Fatima Maiga, Khakie Brisbane, Sekou A. V. Corneh, Austine Payne, Michael Somah, Mohammed Abdullah Nyei, and Fatu M. Sheriff, among others named by the Foundation.
A particularly notable outcome of the initiative was the inclusion of persons with disabilities (PwDs). Of the 10 PwDs sponsored, four passed the entrance examination, including two deaf students—an outcome the Foundation described as a historic first for the University of Liberia.
The successful PwD candidates were identified as David Doe, Blessing Yeaney, Pewee Quaqua, and Octavius Vorkpor.
Beyond the 100 sponsored beneficiaries, the Foundation said it also provided free one-month intensive tutorial classes to more than 1,000 candidates across five strategic centers in Montserrado County, aimed at improving overall performance in the entrance examinations.
Speaking on the results, MKNK Foundation official Mr. Kollie said the outcome challenges the widely held perception that Liberian youth lack motivation, arguing instead that limited access to opportunities and support systems remains the primary barrier to educational advancement.
“These results show that when young people are given even minimal support, they are capable of excelling,” Kollie said, adding that advocacy must be matched with tangible interventions.
The beneficiaries who passed are now eligible to enroll at the state-run University of Liberia, offering many their first opportunity to pursue higher education.
Education advocates say initiatives such as this underscore the critical role of civil society and private philanthropy in expanding access to tertiary education, particularly for marginalized and vulnerable groups.
The MKNK Foundation said it plans to sustain and expand its education support programs as part of broader efforts to empower Liberian youth and promote inclusive national development.
