Liberian Students Awarded Georgia Tech Fellowships in Computer Science

In a landmark achievement for higher education and international collaboration, 12 faculty and staff from the University of Liberia have been accepted into the Georgia Institute of Technology’s Online Master of Science in Computer Science (OMSCS) program. This marks the first time Georgia Tech has offered full fellowships to students for its acclaimed online graduate program.

The inaugural cohort began their studies in August, setting a precedent for future scholarship opportunities and academic collaboration between Georgia Tech and Liberian institutions. 

The initiative results from a strategic partnership between the University Consortium for Liberia (UCL) and Georgia Tech aimed at expanding access to world-class computer science education for Liberian students. Cynthia Blandford, president and CEO of UCL and former honorary consul for the Republic of Liberia in Atlanta expressed her pride in the milestone.

“The UCL's mission is to help provide brighter futures through education and understanding and this includes student and faculty exchanges, curriculum development, academic scholarships, joint research, and fundraising,” said Blandford.

The announcement follows a 2023 visit to Atlanta by Liberian President Joseph Boakai during which Georgia Tech formally introduced the OMSCS scholarship program for Liberia. Michael Best, executive director of the Institute for People and Technology at Georgia Tech emphasized the program's significance.

“Georgia Tech was delighted to host the president of Liberia,” said Best. “This is the first time the OMSCS degree at Georgia Tech is providing complete fellowships to students. I am so glad Liberia is our partner in this groundbreaking program.”

The OMSCS program, hailed by Forbes as the “greatest degree program ever,” is the first fully accredited online master’s degree in computer science offered by a major U.S. university. It combines academic rigor with the flexibility of online learning, allowing students to earn the same degree as their on-campus peers.

Best added that completing the program will be a personal achievement for the students and a strategic investment in Liberia’s future.

“The graduates of this program will help to ensure that Liberia is a full participant and contributor to our digital age. These students’ advanced training will position them for leadership and impact within Liberia and beyond.”

University of Liberia (UL) President Layli Maparyan is excited about the collaboration with Georgia Tech and UCL. 

“The Georgia Tech OMSCS is equipping UL’s computer science faculty and IT staff with a profound degree of capacity building,” she stated. “This positions UL well for planned curricular developments in AI, cybersecurity, and other key IT areas of study. We are profoundly grateful to Georgia Tech for the timely launch.”

The 12 UL students accepted in the program are:

• Harris Barwu
• Clarence Carlwolo
• Viola Cheeseman
• Alieu Farhat
• Varney Jarteh
• Fredrick Juah
• Abubakar Keita
• Yougie Kessellie
• Josephus Nyumalin
• Melvin Soclo
• Michael Umunna
• Martin Wallace