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DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
1. BWI to Technical College Proposal
The Board of Governors has on several occasions deliberated on the BWI to technical college plan. The Government of Liberia endorsed a resolution by the National Stakeholders Conference in July 2007 to elevate BWI to a Technical College. The Phelps Stokes Fund (PSF) and North American Chapter of the BWI Alumni Association (BWINAANA) are very supportive of the plan. The next step is to consolidate the various supports into concrete actions at the appropriate time. The Board of Governors, in its last meeting at BWI instructed the Administration to draft an Act for incorporation of the BWI into technical college. This Act has been drafted and submitted to the Minister of Education for forwarding to National Legislature through the Office of the President of Liberia.
Administration has several major considerations in the college plan. Foremost are (a) the improvement of technical staff through training and/retraining, (b) development of infrastructures such as classrooms, laboratories and staff quarters and (c) development of curriculum and requisite textbooks and training tools and equipment.
2. Mini Hydro-Electrification Plant
Expenditure records show that over thirty-five percent of the running cost of BWI relates to power production and distribution or operation of generators. As we contemplate on a technical college program, BWI has engaged the Firestone Hydro Plant, the Liberia Electricity Corporation and Ministry of Public Works about the possibility of constructing a 150 – 180 KVA hydro plant on Du River near BWI. Funding needed is over US$180,000.
3. Academic and Science Building
Enrolment on BWI has overgrown existing classrooms. By design, existing classrooms were meant for 35 – 40 students. Because of youths’ demand for vocational education, classes have grown to 45 – 50. Moreover, most classes are held in the industrial sections in various departments. When machines are operated, classes are subsequently interrupted from loud noise. Hence, there is need to improve the learning environment and the way forward is to construct a modern and more spacious academic building isolated from the industrial sections of the main campus. This is especially important when we contemplate on technical college programs.
BWI has commence construction of this 20 classrooms building containing three science laboratories and a dozen staff offices, lavatories for males and females, including other utilities. The capacity of the building including the science laboratories is over 1,000 students. Funding has been from internal resource allocation and this could require five to six years to complete the building which will cost about US$875,000 to construct, furnish and equip. As we speak the building is almost completed. Photos of the building will be uploading on our website.
4. Relocation and development of water purification plant
The current water facility in the heart of campus is already inadequate for the staff and over 1,600 students. Water will be critical when BWI reaches its full enrolment capacity of 1,800 students. There is a need for relocation of the water purification plant from the heart of BWI campus to the bank of DU River to ensure adequacy and reliable supply of potable water for students, faculty and staff as well as the community. Cost for relocation is over US$32,500 to construct the purification plant, rehabilitate the reservoir and to install pumps and irrigation lines.
5. Rehabilitation of Existing Infrastructure
While some efforts have been made by the Government of Liberia, United States Government and the European Union over the last six years to improve some of the staff quarters and existing classrooms, there are still 27 structures that need renovation. These include staff quarters and training areas assessed by Milton and Richards Architects and Engineers Associates. Meanwhile some of the structures that were cosmetically renovated need some touch ups especially roofs, floors and bathroom fixtures. The total funding need to complete the renovation is a little over US$450,000.
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