11 Civil Servants Off To S/Korea
Eleven Civil Servants, the first cohort of recipients under the 2025 Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Scholarship program, have left the country to pursue masters’ degrees in various disciplines.
Meanwhile, the selected students have been charged to remain disciplined, focused and serve as true ambassadors of Liberia as they embark on their respective studies in that Asian country.
The group, comprising seven men and four women, were selected from various government ministries and agencies. They will pursue master’s degrees in key development fields, including public policy, development economics, agriculture and technology.
The Minister of Finance, Augustine K. Ngafuan, organized a luncheon in honor of the scholars on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, in Monrovia.
Ngafuan commended the Korean Government for its continued support and collaboration with Liberia.
“We engaged the Korean authorities on the need for educational opportunities for our people, and they listened,” he told the gathering, while parsing the Korean authorities for their good gesture.
Mr. Ngafuan said the Liberian Government appreciates the gesture and remains hopeful that KOICA, and other bilateral partners, will continue to open more doors for Liberians to pursue higher education opportunities in foreign countries.
“On behalf of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, I want to congratulate all of you on your achievements, and selection for the prestigious program,” he told the recipients to a round of applause.
Ngafuan also shared insight from his own professional journey, encouraged the scholars to embrace their new roles as ambassadors, “because you are not just travelling as individuals, but carrying the flag of the country.”
He urged: “Remain studious, stay focused on your academic pursuits, and uphold the highest standards of discipline and integrity while in South Korea.” He reaffirmed Pres. Boakai Administration’s commitment to create opportunities for “capable and prepared Liberians, especially in the civil service.” The KOICA Scholar Program, is a key component of the growing bilateral relationship between the governments of Liberia and the Republic of Korea. It aims to strengthen human capacity and support Liberia’s path towards sustainable development. The group spokesperson, Idris I. Holman, expressed gratitude to both the governments of Liberia and South Korea for facilitating “a life-changing opportunity.”
“We are honored and grateful for the opportunities,” Holman said, noting: “We pledged to work hard, stay disciplined and remain patriotic as we represent the country on the global stage.”