To strengthen Liberia’s financial systems and public procurement expertise, the University of Liberia (UL) has partnered with the World Bank to launch a procurement internship program for Master’s students. The program was officially launched on Monday, November 18, 2024, during a ceremony at Bella Casa in Monrovia.
World Bank Country Manager Georgia A. Wallen, who presided over the launch, emphasized the program’s importance in promoting transparency and accountability in Liberia’s financial systems. She noted that the internship would give students a practical understanding of procurement policies in large-scale development projects. She praised the ongoing collaboration between the World Bank and UL to invest in Liberia’s future leaders.
Dr. Agnes Reeves-Taylor, Vice President for Academic Affairs at UL, spoke on behalf of Acting UL President Dr. Al-Hassan Conteh. She highlighted the critical role the program will play in Liberia’s post-conflict recovery and the rebuilding of its financial management systems, which are essential for strong governance, accountability, and integrity.
The internship is the latest initiative from a long-standing partnership between UL and international development organizations. Dr. Jonathan C. Taylor, UL’s Vice President for Graduate Studies and Research, provided background on the program’s origins, tracing it back to the World Bank-funded Financial Management Training Program (FMTP) initiated in 2006.
Currently, 67 students are enrolled in the program, which has already produced graduates contributing to public sector reforms. The internship is expected to cultivate a new generation of skilled professionals who will enhance transparency and efficiency in Liberia’s public procurement sector.
Wallen expressed optimism about the program’s future and Liberia’s development. She reaffirmed the World Bank’s continued commitment to supporting Liberia’s youth’s growth and professional development.
