Partners In Health Liberia (PIHL) is committed to building meaningful partnerships with local and international institutions in solidarity with the Government of Liberia to develop the next generation of health care providers.
Its interventions focus on capacity building through medical education, training, and ongoing mentorship and support. As part of this effort, PIHL led the process to energize a partnership between William V. S. Tubman University (TU), based in Harper, Maryland County, rural Liberia, where PIH operates, and the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) in Rwanda.
A coordination meeting was recently held on the main campus of TU, led by Dr. Joel Mubiligi, former Acting Vice Chancellor of UGHE, with senior academic leaders of TU, and accompanied by Dr. Maxo Luma, PIH Liberia Executive Director, J. Wilfred Zeon, deputy executive director, Dr. Sarah Anyango, clinical director of PIHL, and Matthew Rehrif, Managing Director of Impact and Planning at PIH.
Speaking at the meeting, Dr. Luma emphasized the long-term collaboration between TU and PIH, which has been ongoing for over 12 years. He noted that a partnership between TU and the UGHE will complement TU’s efforts to improve national health education systems.
In remarks, Dr. Mubiligi expressed a strong interest in “reawakening the TU–UGHE partnership.” This partnership would establish joint academic programs, facilitate faculty exchanges, and enhance clinical research opportunities for health professionals in Liberia.
Dr. Maria Fe-Gueta, the Vice President for Academic Affairs at Tubman University, met with Dr. Joel Mubiligi, the Chief Innovation and Growth Planning Officer, and the Partners In Health (PIH) Liberia leadership team, including Dr. Maxo Luma. This meeting took place during a visit to Harper City in Maryland County, Liberia. This was Dr. Mubiligi’s first visit to Liberia, during which he sought firsthand insight into PIH’s work. Photo by Ansumana O. Sesay/PIH
Dr. Maria Fe-Gueta, the Vice President for Academic Affairs at Tubman University, represented the university at the meeting. This meeting followed extensive efforts by Dr. Olu Q. Menjay, President of Tubman University, to strengthen postgraduate education, faculty development, and clinical collaboration in Liberia.
Dr. Olu Q. Menjay highlighted his administration’s role in making the meeting happen through ongoing dialogue and planning with PIH Liberia.
“Through continued work with Partners In Health, we are reuniting TU and UGHE. This partnership will strengthen Liberia’s healthcare workforce, improve research capacity, and provide opportunities for our students and faculty to connect with global health leaders,” Dr. Menjay said.
The meeting confirmed TU’s plans to launch postgraduate programs in Critical Care Nursing and Neonatology by September 2026. It will establish a modern simulation laboratory and incorporate Social Medicine principles into TU’s curriculum. A joint TU–PIH Working Committee will continue to develop program curricula, secure funding, and coordinate collaboration with UGHE leadership.
This renewed initiative underscores the potential of South-South partnerships to enhance academic excellence and bolster Liberia’s health workforce.
