By Grace Bryant Mollay
The University of Liberia president, Lyli Maparyan, has announced the immediate dismissal of eight employees found guilty of academic fraud.
They include Mr. Arthur B. Sharpe, Chairman, Public Administration Department; Mr. Thurston Lewis, Instructor & Clearing Officer, Department of Public Administration; Mr. Goffa K. Suah, Coordinator & Teaching Assistant, Dean’s Representative on the Clearing Team, Public Administration Department; and Mr. W. Remsee Deranamie, Deputy Registrar, Office of Enrollment Services (OES).
Other dismissed are Mr. Shadrach K. H. Pah, Assistant Dean of Records & Registration, OES; Mr. Foday Jaleiba, Office Assistant to the Dean of Records, OES; and Mr. Jonathan Kangar, Support Specialist, Office of Information Technology (OIT).
The University has also suspended Mr. Aaron B. Sengbe II, Associate Vice President & Registrar, OES, while at the same time reinstated Ms. Mercy Koquoi, OES Data Entry Clerk, Business College; and Mr. Augustine Z. Garpi, OES Coordinator, Business College.
The action follows the release of a highly anticipated report from the Special Committee to Investigate Academic Fraud, which uncovered coordinated and systemic academic misconduct across several departments at the university.
The report which took four months to complete investigated several instances of alleged academic fraud, including the controversial ‘Dorr Cooper Incident.’
It confirmed that deliberate and coordinated fraudulent acts occurred within multiple units of the university, namely the Department of Public Administration (PADM), the Office of Enrollment Services (OES), and the Office of Information Technology (OIT).
Dr. Maparyan described the findings as deeply troubling but not insurmountable.
“Academic fraud is the antithesis of academic integrity and the enemy of academic excellence. On my watch, the University of Liberia will be restored to academic integrity and academic excellence,” she said.
As part of the disciplinary measures, eight staff members have been dismissed, one suspended until the end of 2025, and two reinstated after being cleared of wrongdoing.
Maparyan’s statement clarified that this is only the beginning of a broader crackdown on academic dishonesty.
Effective immediately, UL will implement several reforms to prevent future breaches which is the Special Committee will become a permanent oversight body under the name Committee to Investigate Academic Fraud (CIAF).
A new UL Whistle-blower Platform (ULWP) will allow for confidential reporting of suspected academic fraud, the Office of Enrollment Services will undergo a complete overhaul and policies for students and staff concerning academic fraud will be strengthened and accompanied by awareness campaigns.
“These measures will allow academic integrity to prevail and academic fraud to perish. Impunity will not be an option,” she added.
Dr. Maparyan described as ‘corrupt academic practices that shackled our educational mission.’
