By G. Watson Richards
The Executive Director of Liberia’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, has called for a shift in culture at the University of Liberia, urging the institution to move away from destructive militancy and focus more on mentorship, research, and critical thinking.
Speaking during the inauguration of the new leadership of the University of Liberia Faculty Association (ULFA) at the university auditorium, Dr. Yarkpawolo said Liberia’s future depends largely on the university’s ability to produce ethical leaders, researchers, and problem-solvers capable of addressing national challenges.
Delivering the keynote address on the theme, “From Militancy to Mentorship: The Faculty Association as a Vehicle of Change, Critical Thinking, and Research at the University of Liberia,” he encouraged faculty members, students, and administrators to promote an academic culture grounded in discipline, evidence-based discussions, and national service.
“Let research replace rumor. Let debate replace disorder. Let evidence replace emotion. Let critical thinking replace blind militancy,” Dr. Yarkpawolo told the audience, drawing applause from attendees.
He acknowledged that student activism has an important place in a democratic society but stressed that activism should be guided by knowledge, discipline, and constructive engagement rather than confrontation and destruction.
“The best protest is a well-researched position paper; the best revolution is a generation trained to think,” he said.
Describing the University of Liberia as a national asset, Dr. Yarkpawolo said the institution must take a leading role in finding solutions to issues such as climate change, coastal erosion, illegal mining, food insecurity, unemployment, and public health challenges.
According to him, the country’s problems should be treated as opportunities for research and innovation.
“These problems cannot be solved by slogans or anger alone. They require research, data, policy analysis, ethical leadership, and strong academic institutions,” he noted.
Reflecting on his experience at the EPA, Dr. Yarkpawolo said meaningful institutional change comes through accountability, teamwork, professionalism, and service.
He pointed to several reforms at the EPA, including the decentralization of operations across Liberia’s 15 counties, stronger enforcement of environmental laws, and increased support for scientific research and laboratory development.
He also revealed that the EPA, working with the University of Liberia and international partners, has helped establish climate change laboratories and strengthen environmental science programs to support scientific research in the country.
“Institutions do not change because people shout louder; they change when leaders listen, set standards, build teams, and make accountability normal,” he said.
As part of his proposed “Faculty-Led Critical Thinking and Research Transformation Agenda,” Dr. Yarkpawolo recommended mentorship programs for student leaders, research-driven advocacy, annual academic conferences, and stronger partnerships between the university and public institutions.
He also called on the Liberian government to increase funding for the University of Liberia, arguing that the institution cannot achieve excellence without adequate support.
“No nation can demand a world-class university while funding it like an afterthought,” he said, urging authorities to raise the university’s budget to at least US$100 million.
He ended by encouraging the new ULFA leadership to champion scholarship, mentorship, and academic excellence.
“Let ULFA become a vehicle of change,” he said. “Let the University of Liberia once again become a lighthouse of reason, research, citizenship, and national renewal.”
