The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Johannesburg (UJ) in South Africa, Professor Letlhokwa George Mpedi, has called on graduates of William V.S. Tubman (TU) to forge for Pan-African unity and transformative leadership.
Prof. Mpedi admonition was contained in a speech he delivered at TU’s 12th graduation convocation over the weekend in Harper, Maryland County.
He urged graduates to use their education as a catalyst for collective continental progress.
The ceremony marked another milestone in TU’s evolution as one of Liberia’s foremost public institutions of higher learning.
Families, faculty, policymakers, and invited guests gathered to celebrate academic achievements.
They reflected on TU’s expanding role in national development and regional collaboration.
Prof. Mpedi: “It is no secret that Liberia played a historic role in Africa’s liberation struggle.”
His speech rich with historical reflection, highlighted Liberia’s long-standing record of solidarity with African liberation movements.
He revisited the gripping 1962 journey of Nelson Mandela across the continent, when the anti-apartheid leader secretly traveled to secure political and military support for South Africa’s freedom struggle.
“Liberia played a critical role during Mandela’s travels, offering the kind of diplomatic support that strengthened the fight for justice,” Prof. Mpedi reminded the audience.
He spoke of the contribution of President William V. S. Tubman, after whom the university is named; described Liberia as “a beacon of freedom and fraternity at a pivotal moment in Africa’s history.”
He added, “This connection underscores the profound ties uniting African nations in their pursuit of freedom and justice. Liberia’s commitment to education has been a beacon across our continent.”
TU’s Legacy and Growth
Established in 1978 as the William V. S. Tubman College of Technology, TU has undergone significant transformation. After interruptions caused by the country civil conflicts, the institution was revived under President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and upgraded to full university status in 2009. Today, TU hosts six colleges, including Agriculture and Food Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Health Sciences, and Management and Administration.
Building on TU’s mission, Prof. Mpedi invoked Mandela’s famous assertion that “education is the most powerful weapon, which one can use to change the world.”
Mpedi urged graduates to see themselves as architects of a more integrated and prosperous continent.
He encouraged cross-border collaboration, innovation, and community-centered leadership as tools for shaping Africa’s future.
The event was climaxed with cheers, traditional performances, and emotional celebrations, reaffirming TU’s central role in shaping Liberia’s future.
As the new graduates step into professional and civic life, Prof. Mpedi’s message underscored their achievements as not only personal milestones, but contributions to a broader Pan-African narrative of unity, resilience, and shared progress.
TU is currently headed by Dr. Olu Q. Menjay, a Baptist.