Tuskegee University President Gilbert Rochon met with Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf last week to discuss extended collaboration between the nation and the institution. It was the first visit to the country by Dr. Rochon, who met with officials from the Booker Washington Institute in Liberia, pledged more support for the research-based institution.

Rochon told Sirleaf that Tuskegee University’s relations with the institute started in 1924 and that the university would like to be part of efforts to help the institute improve. Sirleaf expressed disappointment at the negative impact that years of civil war in Liberia had on the institute, but shared her administration’s efforts and plans to restore the technical institute.

Tuskegee University has partnerships with universities in several African countries including: Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Morocco and South Africa. And, Rochon would like to extend the chance to work together to Liberia as well. He said he will work toward establishing joint research opportunities, student exchange programs and help to strengthen architecture programs at Liberian universities. To that end, he told Sirleaf he has approached the president of the University of Liberia, Emmet A. Dennis, the administration and board of governors of Booker Washington Institute and representatives from Tubman University in Liberia.

Tuskegee University