The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has commended the African Methodist Episcopal University (AMEU) for two transformative, first‑of‑their‑kind initiatives poised to reshape higher education and national development in Liberia.

During a strategic engagement held on April 30, 2026, at AMEU’s Camp Johnson Road campus, UNDP recognized the establishment of Liberia’s first university‑level Geomatics (Surveying) programme, alongside a pioneering specialized computer lab for visually impaired students.

The UNDP Liberia Resident Representative, Mr. Aliou Mamadou Dia, hailed these achievements as exemplary models of inclusive skills‑driven development that directly advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“You are doing an amazing job. These initiatives align directly with the SDGs—promoting sustained, inclusive economic growth and decent work for all, including persons with disabilities—while building the geospatial capacity our nation urgently needs,” Dia said.

Following formal accreditation by the National Commission on Higher Education (NCHE), AMEU is set to launch Liberia’s first‑ever university degree programme in Geomatics—an emerging, interdisciplinary field that integrates land surveying, geospatial science, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), GPS/GNSS technologies, and drone‑based aerial surveying.

The programme will commence in September 2026 with a two‑year Associate of Arts (AA) degree, offering a structured progression to a Bachelor of Science (BSc). It is strategically designed to support Liberia’s national development priorities, including land administration reform, infrastructure planning, environmental management, and the reduction of land disputes through accurate and reliable spatial data.

During the engagement, UNDP expressed strong interest in partnering with AMEU to ensure the successful rollout of the programme. Both institutions agreed to jointly assess infrastructure and capacity needs within the newly established Department of Geomatics and to pursue a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to guide technical assistance, equipment support, and capacity‑building efforts.

AMEU President, Rev. Alvin E. Attah, underscored the national significance of the initiative noting that “this is not just an academic milestone, it is a direct investment in Liberia’s ability to map its future, manage its land, and build sustainably.”

In parallel, UNDP spotlighted AMEU’s newly established specialized computer lab for visually impaired students as a major breakthrough in inclusive education. The lab is equipped with assistive technologies, including specialized computers and braille equipment, and serves not only AMEU students but also learners from other universities and high schools across Monrovia.

“AMEU is at the service of all,” Rev. Attah emphasized. “This lab represents a bold removal of barriers to higher education, ensuring that no student is left behind in Liberia’s march toward equitable growth.”

Chris Moriah T. Torbor, a visually impaired student at AMEU, shared his experience saying,

“this lab gives us access to specialized computers and braille—not just for AMEU students, but for learners from other universities and high schools too. It changes everything.”

UNDP confirmed that this milestone in inclusive education will be shared across the One UN family in Liberia, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to scaling inclusive learning as a driver of opportunity for all, including persons with disabilities.

Building on the engagement, UNDP will conduct an internal review of AMEU’s Geomatics programme proposal, while AMEU will submit additional technical documentation. Both institutions will continue strategic discussions aimed at refining areas of collaboration, with the goal of finalizing an MoU to formally support the launch of Liberia’s first Geomatics programme.

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