PRINCIPAL TARNUE’S MESSAGE @ 90TH FOUNDER’S DAY
PRINCIPAL TARNUE’S MESSAGE @ 90TH FOUNDER’S DAY
Greeting!
To God be the glory for the forward march from 1929 to 2019, a period spanning 90 years since the foundation of our Alma Mater was laid here at Kakata, Liberia; with the overarching goal of providing part of the solution to the national shortage of trained middle level technicians, aspiring engineers, agriculturists, businessmen and women and professionals of diverse pursuits.
As we mark 90- years of accomplished existence, we do so under the THEME: “BWI @ 90: FORWARD TO EXCELLENCE, CHERISH THE PAST AND STRENGTHEN THE PRESENT.”
Our vision for the new decade towards the centennial anniversary of our Dear Booker T. is to achieve a Model Center of Excellence status in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Liberia and beyond.
This desired state of excellence requires a defined strategy as a thrust for realization which will involve Public Engagement coupled with purposive actions as outlined in our five points strategic priorities to include:
Investing in staff development and capacity building,
- Investing in internal revenue generation programs and activities;
- Strengthening existing infrastructures and searching for support to construct new facilities;
- Working to enhance quality student recruitment, development and retention of programs; and
- Working to elevate the Institute to a technical university status with high quality market focused programs within five years.
Let us all remember that the march from year one to year 90 has been long and marked by rough, low and high travelling experiences. How be it, the next decade from the 90th to the centennial may even be more challenging, if we are not guided by divine inspiration. There are emerging signs already pointing to this such as youth violence supported by adults and people placed in positions of public trust who are using financial inducement and harmful substances to influence our youth to achieve their selfish plans against the progress of the very youth. We cannot afford to slip from the 90 mark as we push towards 100.
As a country, our past, present and future unquestionably point to the fact that TVET is one critical vehicle for achieving national government’s Pro-poor Agenda for Development and Prosperity (PAPD). Through TVET we can enhance youth employability, produce competitive workforce, and harness human capital for increased manufacturing and industrialization and promote productivity and sustainability. All hands must be engaged to achieve this.
Finally, we are humbled and challenged by the decision of President George Manneh Weah who is also Chairman Ex-Officio of the Board of Governors of BWI, to continue to repose confidence in our ability to serve as Principal and Executive Officer of this noble and national institution.
Thank you Mr. President.
Happy 90th Founder’s Day to our Students, Parents, and Alumni community at home and in the Diaspora, education stakeholders and development Partners.
Harris Fomba Tarnue, Esq., MCIPS
Principal & E.O., BWI