RE: RESPONSE TO HON. BARTEKWA‘S ALLEGATIONS OF WILLIAM V.S. TUBMAN UNIVERSITY UNFAIR RECRUITMENT OPERATIONS

1. WVSTU PRESS RELEASE NO 3-2014 DPMR-IA November 8, 2014
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Media Contact: Solo Otto Gaye
Director
Department of Public & Media Relations
Email: sgaye@tubmanu.edu.lr
Cell: +231886709726/+231886333194
Skype:solo.otto.gaye
Website: www.tubmanu.edu.lr
RE: RESPONSE TO HON. BARTEKWA‘S ALLEGATIONS OF WILLIAM V.S. TUBMAN UNIVERSITY UNFAIR RECRUITMENT OPERATIONS
William V.S. Tubman University (TU) has taken note of misleading allegations in a communication presented to the House of Representatives plenary session by Hon. Numene T.H. Bartekwa on October 30, 2014. That communication focused on the employment policy at TU was written without seeking any clarification or information from the University. Hon. Bartekwa’s fabricated communication is inflammatory, capable of smearing the reputation of the institution, intending to damage the kind of rapid reforms undertaken at the institution, and damaging to the kind of community we are trying to build.
The University puts on the public record the following facts regarding its employment operations:
 Salary is not based on nationality but on the level of education, breadth and depth of experience and professionalism. It does not discriminate against Liberians. It is based on education and competencies. Our core values explicitly state our focus to be local, national, and international, with an emphasis on the celebration of diversity and the promotion of equal opportunities;
 Regarding relocation allowance, our policy clearly stipulates the process. Relocation allowance is based on position and place of origin. Relocation allowance has nothing to do with nationality – whether Liberian, or not. The employee eligible to receive relocation allowance signs a two year service contract proviso to inculcate service and commitment to the University;
 Tubman University’s mission and vision are to provide quality educational experiences that transform the life of individuals for worthy service envisioning so doing with quality
William V. S. Tubman University
Tubman Town, Maryland County
MAILING: P. O. Box 3570 Harper, Maryland County, Republic Of Liberia, West Africa
Monrovia Office: 15th & Tubman Boulevard, Sinkor, Monrovia, Liberia
EMAIL: info@tubmanu.edu.lr WEBSITE: www.tubmanu.edu.lr

2. WVSTU PRESS RELEASE NO 3-2014 DPMR-IA November 8, 2014
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and excellence. Therefore the University attracts candidates from a global arena. Each candidate is vetted for job qualifications match and fit to the organization. Our policies and guidelines are clear with respect to academic appointments, rankings, and performance expectations;
 If, as asserted that we favor foreigners over Liberians, why are we sending Liberians to obtain advanced degrees to return and serve the University? Currently, we have seven (7) Liberians studying at master degree level at Obafemi Awolowo University and University of Ibadan in Nigeria respectively; one (1) person at the University of Birmingham-UK; and one (1) person at Stella Maris Mother Patern College of Health Sciences program in Nursing. We already have two (2) persons who have completed their master’s studies from Cuttington University and Makerere University-Uganda who are currently serving the University. Developing a critical mass of Liberians competent to serve is implicit in our mission. Therefore we implemented this “Grow Our Own” scholarship program that from year to year depends on funding availability;
 Vacant positions at TU are advertised in local dailies, online media outlets such as TLC Africa and our TU website, http://www.tubmanu.edu.lr In order to bridge the gap given the human capacity problem faced by our nation, we do hire foreigners in some instances where a competent Liberian cannot be found to match our needs, or a competent Liberian who is unwilling to relocate to the duty station in Maryland County;
 Hon. Bartekwa claims that about 80% of the workforce at Tubman University are foreigners. Our FactSheet produced each semester clearly defeats his research. The most recent FactSheet dated 14 April 2014, shows that Tubman University had a workforce of 370 general and professional staff comprising 312 non-instructional staff and administrators, and 58 faculty. They supported the needs for 807 regular students enrolled in the five colleges and 189 students enrolled in the preparatory Access to College program for the 2nd semester of academic year 2014-2015. Dissecting our 312 non-instructional staff and administrators, 299 or 96% are Liberians while 13 or 4% are foreigners; of the 58 instructional staff, 35 or 60.34% are Liberians while 23 or 39.66% are foreigners.
The University assures the general public that its employment policy does not favor foreigners over Liberians. Hon. Bartekwa’s information provided in his letter to Plenary is outrageous, fabricated on falsehood, and is without merit. AT TU, our mission is “to provide quality educational experiences that transform the lives of individuals for worthy service”. In keeping

3. WVSTU PRESS RELEASE NO 3-2014 DPMR-IA November 8, 2014
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with this mission, our vision is “to be center of quality and excellence”. To fulfill and actualize our mission and vision, this public University perseveres to provide excellent educational experiences and opportunities that are relevant, meaningful, and globally competent in the training of future leaders of Liberia and the world at large.
The public is also invited to peruse our website (that has a tab for our human resource needs), or, visit our campus in Harper, or our Monrovia Site Office to access information on the University’s policies, programs, and initiatives. Additionally, email requests can be sent to publicrelations@tubmanu.edu.lr, or to sgaye@tubmanu.edu.lr
William V.S. Tubman University views the claims of Hon. Numene T. H. Bartekwa as a deliberate attempt to create mischief and undermine the tremendously great and dedicated work of those Liberians and foreigners striving to build a quality university for Liberia.
As of Semester II of academic year 2014, 23.30% of the regularly enrolled student population of TU hailed from Grand Kru County, second in percentage to Maryland County, 46.22%. That is to say more than two-thirds of the students of TU came from these two counties, finding four-year tertiary education in southeast Liberia. Perhaps Hon. Numene T.H. Bartekwa might busy himself with sponsorship of students to build capacity not only in Grand Kru, but in Liberia, and wherever they might choose to serve. Tubman University invites Hon. Bartekwa to become involved in our efforts to build human capacity competent to serve locally, nationally, globally.