BTCT Gets University Status
By Fiona Benson
Lawmakers at the Lower House on Capitol Hill have finally unanimously passed a bill seeking to repeal the 2015 Act incorporating the Bong County Technical College (BCTC), and to establish in lieu thereof, the Bong County University (BCU).
The plenary reached the decision on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, followed the submission of a report from its joint committees on education, publication, administration, and judiciary after weeks of reviews, public hearing to finally grant BCTC a university status.
In the report, the joint committees disclosed it had a public hearing with all stakeholders in the educational sector, including the Ministry of Education, the National Commission on Higher Education and the BCTC Administration.
The committees’ report also highlighted that the bill will elevate the BCTC to a fully accredited public university, thereby expanding higher education capacity and education delivery and regional development in the center of the country.
The report further revealed that the committees during its hearing, observed that the proposed bill enjoys overwhelming support from the local committee, stating that the BCTC has demonstrated academic majority and regional relevance over the years as such, it was imperative for the legislature to endorse the committees report and forward same to the senate for concurrence.
The committees added that with proper safeguard, switch implantation, and adequate funding, the bill has the potential to bring long term education and academic benefits to the people of Bong and its neighboring counties.
Bong County District #4 Representative, Robert Womba, sponsored the bill.
Womba, in response to the plenary decision, overwhelmingly commended his colleagues for the support, stating: “Their decision will forever be remembered by Bongees.”
He added that BCTC receiving a university status has been the heartbeat of the people, who according him, over the years, have dreamed of getting their own institution of higher learning in the county as to reduce the constrain citizens goes through in acquiring higher education in Monrovia and other places.
“Today, my people will be overwhelmed with joy to note that the House of Representatives has granted university status to the BCTC, and now we are counting on the senate for concordance with further decision from the president.
BCTC is strategy located and with the university status, it will also be a blessing to not only residents of Bong County, but the entire central region,” Womba said.
He meanwhile called on the Senate to look at the needs of the people to do likewise for the betterment of the country as BCTC will also be contributing to the higher education needs of Liberians in that part of the country.
It can be recalled on May 19, 2025, an Act seeking to repeal the 2015 Act incorporating the BCTC, and to establish in lieu thereof the BCU – 2025 was submitted to the House of Representatives for review, and such Act, has been passed by the House awaiting concordance from the senate for onward decision from the President.