Monrovia – As part of efforts to enhance a better learning space at the United Methodist University (UMU), the friends of the United Methodist United of Liberia (FUMUL) based in the United States of America have donated over US$30,000 worth of computers and medical equipment to the university.
The donation includes 41 desktop computers and one mobile sonogram (medical equipment) for setting Intravenous (IV).
The items are intended to support the university in providing quality education in the country.
Dr. Mator Kpangbai, UMU Vice President for Institutional Development and Advancement, said the materials will be used to support the teaching and learning goals of the university.
He lauded the support of the FUMUL for the donation, adding that the gesture is “the first of many donations” from the US-based organization.
“This group is currently thinking about how they can support the Liberia Annual Conference department of education in terms of textbooks, but my primary work with them is focused on making sure they can help with our fundraising goal regarding our (UMU) future campus,” he said, while disclosing that the group is also planning to visit Liberia later this year to continue its support to the university.
Dr. Kpangbai added that the donated mobile Sonogram will be given to the Ganta Methodist Mission Hospital in Nimba County to help nurses and doctors provide improved healthcare to patients and at the same time train nursing students of the university during their clinical learning experiences.
“Our clinical students at the Ganta Hospital will see the new type of technology as they go about doing their work (practical studies), but I’m also happy because the dream of the kind of quality we need to bring to our information Technology department to give the students what they need and the cry we have heard over the period about the challenges about having computers,” he said.
Also speaking, the interim president of UMU Dr. Albert B. Coleman praised FUMUL for the support and said although “people in America consider something as not important; the university needs anything that can help it run properly.
Dr. Coleman stressed that the donation will enhance the study of internet technology (IT) as “the idea of books is failing out”, while expressing optimism that the university is looking to have an e-Library.
Before the donation, the IT department of UMU faced numerous problems including unavailability of equipment and supplies. There are about three IT labs at the university but many of the computers are faulty due to the fluctuation of electricity.
Dr. Coleman assured that the newly donated computers will help a lot by replacing the faulty ones so that more students and professors take advantage of the university’s computer program.
Rev. Dr. Samuel J. Quire, Bishop of the United Methodist Church of the Liberia Annual Conference who witnessed the presentation of the items, expressed excitement at the gesture.
Bishop Quire, who is also the Chairperson of the university, hailed the Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church of Californian, Nevada for contributing to efforts that led to the realization of the donation.
He also stressed that he “hope and pray the computers will be used for the intended purpose and that knowledge will be acquired [by the students].”