GBU Eyes Technical Boost -As Supt gets AML Commitment

By George C. Flomo

MONROVIA – Efforts to strengthen technical education at Grand Bassa University (GBU) gained fresh momentum on Wednesday, November 19, when Grand Bassa County Superintendent Karyou Johnson held discussions with ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML), securing an initial commitment aimed at pushing the university’s Engineering and Technical Division forward.

The meeting, held at AML’s concession area in Buchanan, centered on the Superintendent’s call for stronger corporate attention to the academic and technical needs of the county’s only public university. Johnson stressed that as Liberia becomes more competitive in the job market, counties hosting major concessions must prioritize preparing their youth for specialized roles.

“We are at a stage where employment in technical institutions is driven by competence,” the Superintendent told AML executives, emphasizing that local employees should not be left behind because they lack exposure or training.

According to him, the county must position itself so that by the time AML’s 25-year operational tenure winds down, “a new generation of technically prepared young Liberians will be ready to fill critical spaces in Mittal and elsewhere.”

Grand Bassa University—originally established as Liberia’s first community college in 2008—now houses an Engineering College that local authorities believe requires upgraded tools, laboratories, and skills-focused programs. Johnson noted that the Engineering College has the potential to become a major recruitment ground for companies operating in the extractive and industrial sectors, once adequately supported.

Responding to the appeal, AML’s Head of Sustainability and External Relations, Marcus Wleh, announced that the company has set aside US$50,000 to help advance technical studies at GBU. He made clear, however, that the funds are tied strictly to technical and instructional purposes, not for administrative overhead.

The Superintendent’s engagement has now shifted attention to the university’s management, who are expected to prepare program proposals that meet AML’s criteria for technical support.

In a broader update, the company revealed plans for a dedicated Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) center to be built for Grand Bassa County—mirroring the facility currently operational in Yekepa, Nimba County. The new TVET institution, once completed, is expected to serve as a major skills pipeline for both the county and the national workforce.

AML says construction and complete setup of the TVET center should be finalized within two years, adding a new layer of opportunity to Grand Bassa’s educational landscape.