National Assembly House Approves ‘University Charter’ for Stella Maris Polytechnic

Bill Sponsored by Honorable P. Mike Jurry

The Honorable House of Representatives has granted a University Charter status to the Stella Maris Polytechnic on Tuesday, May 7, during its 28th day sitting, at 12:54GMT.

Members of the House voted unanimously to approve the bill, known as “An Act to Further Amend the Act of the Stella Maris Polytechnic and to Grant a Charter to the Stella Maris Polytechnic University (SMPU).”

The Stella Maris Polytechnic is a tertiary Institution (higher learning) owned and operated by the Catholic Archdiocese of Monrovia, and its main campus is situated on Capitol Hill in Monrovia. The Polytechnic has five colleges with over 2,500 students.

The House’s decision to grant a University Charter status to the Stella Maris Polytechnic followed a report from the Committee on Education and Public Administration, headed by Representative Johnson N. Gwaikolo of Nimba County District#9.

The Education and Public Administration Committee in its recommendation expressed believe that after respective meetings and consultations with relevant stakeholders associated with Stella Maris Polytechnic and considering numerous contributions made to Liberia’s Higher Education sector by the institution, the passage of the bill will create opportunities for the institution to provide more programs for the students while at the same time might attract much needed donor support.

The Act was sponsored by Maryland County electoral District #1 Representative, P. Mike Jurry.

The House’s approved bill has since been forwarded to the Liberian Senate for concurrence, and if it’s harmonized and approved by the President, and thereafter printed into handball, the Stella Maris Polytechnic will be known as the Stella Maris Polytechnic University.