By Christian Appleton
Fendell Campus, University of Liberia | July 15, 2025 — In a groundbreaking move toward educational inclusivity, the University of Liberia (UL) has, for the first time in its history, administered its undergraduate entrance exam to 13 visually impaired candidates. This marks a historic milestone for the institution and the nation.
The exam was held on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Lake View, UL’s Fendell Campus in Louisiana. Additionally, one visually impaired candidate is scheduled to sit the UL Aptitude Test for the Graduate and Professional Schools on Monday, July 14.
This initiative is part of UL’s commitment to ensuring “no one is left behind,” regardless of physical or visual impairments. The move aligns with the broader inclusive agenda of both the university and the nation, promoting equal educational opportunities for all.
At the forefront of this initiative is the UL Resource Center for Support Services and Alternative Learning, directed by Mrs. Saydah Williamson Taylor, which oversees services for students with special needs, including the visually impaired. To address longstanding challenges in accessibility, the Resource Center partnered with University Innovation Pod (UniPod), led by Executive Director Dr. Michael Flowers. Through their collaboration, critical support and logistics were provided to make this unprecedented entrance examination a success.
The initiative received strong backing from UL President Prof. Dr. Layli Maparyan, whose administration has prioritized inclusivity as a core objective of her leadership. Her endorsement enabled the collaboration between UniPod and the Resource Center to flourish.
Ms. Stephina T. Warner, Director of UniPod, emphasized the significance of the occasion, stating, “This is one of Dr. Maparyan’s goals for the university—getting everybody included. We trained facilitators and gave them the technical know-how to support the candidates, from managing the equipment to guiding them through the exam.”
Mrs. Taylor, visibly emotional on exam day, expressed deep gratitude and pride in the progress made. “I can’t say I am overjoyed—I’m in tears,” she said. “My staff are jumping up. We’re happy that the administration saw a reason to support this and let us try.” She added that the success of this event opens new doors: “From today, our fear of ‘can we really serve this population?’ will reduce. We will sharpen our tools and ideas to be more inclusive for students with visual impairment, hearing disabilities, and other conditions.”
Going forward, visually impaired students who pass the entrance will be integrated into mainstream classrooms. Instructors will collaborate with the Resource Center to ensure that course materials are adapted into Braille or other accessible formats.
The 13 visually impaired candidates were among more than 13,000 applicants who sat for the 2025 UL entrance across undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools.
Mr. Jackson Suah, speaking on behalf of the candidates, lauded UL leadership: “The dream of many visually impaired students who have waited years for access to higher education is now a reality—thanks to the President of the University and the tireless efforts of UniPod and the Office for Students with Special Needs.”
This milestone not only marks a turning point for UL but also sets a national precedent, reinforcing that inclusive education is not just a vision—it is becoming a reality.
Comments are closed.