–ICCR India-Africa Maitri Programme Records Fivefold Increase as Ambassador Says Education Remains the Strongest Bridge Between the Two Nations
MONROVIA – India has significantly deepened its investment in Liberia’s human capital by awarding 20 fully funded Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) India-Africa Maitri Scholarships to outstanding Liberian students for the 2026–2027 academic year, marking a fivefold increase in scholarship opportunities and underscoring the growing strategic partnership between the two countries.
The scholarships, which will enable the recipients to pursue Master’s and Doctoral studies at some of India’s most prestigious universities, were celebrated during a reception hosted Monday by the Embassy of India in Monrovia, where diplomats, alumni, government officials, and the awardees gathered to commemorate what was described as a new chapter in Liberia-India educational cooperation.
Speaking during the ceremony, India’s Ambassador to Liberia, H.E. Manoj Bihari Verma, congratulated the scholarship recipients, describing their selection as the beginning of “twenty individual journeys” that will eventually strengthen Liberia’s reservoir of knowledge, expertise and leadership.
“What we are celebrating today is not just the award of scholarships,” Ambassador Verma declared. “We are also celebrating the beginning of twenty individual journeys that I believe will, in time, enrich Liberia’s pool of knowledge and leadership.”
Scholarship Opportunities Increase Fivefold
The Ambassador disclosed that Liberia’s ICCR scholarship allocation has expanded dramatically—from just four scholarships last year to twenty this year—reflecting New Delhi’s growing commitment to investing in Liberia’s future through education.
The expanded allocation came amid intense competition.
According to Ambassador Verma, the Embassy received 219 applications this year, including 15 for PhD programmes, 114 for Master’s degrees, and 90 for undergraduate studies, making the selection process one of the most competitive since the programme was introduced in Liberia.
“The competition was really strong,” he noted, adding that only the very best candidates secured the prestigious scholarships.
Liberian Scholars Head to India’s Elite Universities
Under the programme, the Liberian scholars will study at some of India’s most respected institutions, including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT Madras, IIT Roorkee and IIT-ISM Dhanbad), University of Delhi, Delhi Technological University, Central University of Punjab, Nalanda University, Mizoram University, National Forensic Sciences University, Savitribai Phule Pune University, and the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology.
The students will pursue advanced studies across a broad range of disciplines considered vital to Liberia’s national development, including:
- Public policy and governance
- Environmental engineering
- Geography and natural resource management
- Renewable energy
- Geotechnical engineering
- Economics
- Development studies
- Pharmaceutical chemistry
- Applied geology
- Soil sciences
- Ecology and environmental studies
- International relations and peace studies
- Political science
- History
- Social work
Notably, six Liberians were selected for doctoral programs, a development Ambassador Verma described as particularly encouraging following the University of Liberia’s historic launch of its first-ever PhD programs in 2025.
“When I arrived in Liberia last year, one of the first news reports that caught my attention was that the University of Liberia had launched its first-ever PhD programs,” he recalled.
“It was therefore particularly gratifying to see six Liberian scholars selected for doctoral studies under the ICCR programme.”
Supporting Liberia’s Development Agenda
Ambassador Verma emphasized that the selected academic disciplines were not chosen by accident but closely mirror Liberia’s own development priorities under President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID).
He noted that areas such as governance, renewable energy, environmental science, economics, natural resource management, pharmaceutical sciences and international relations are central to Liberia’s long-term economic transformation.
The Ambassador expressed optimism that the scholarship programme would continue expanding in future years, allowing more Liberian undergraduate students to benefit as well.
Students Become Ambassadors for Liberia
Beyond academics, Ambassador Verma reminded the awardees that they would carry another important responsibility during their stay in India—that of representing Liberia.
“While you are in India, you will also serve as ambassadors of Liberia,” he told the scholars.
“Your conduct, dedication and achievements will strengthen the goodwill between our two countries and inspire future generations of Liberian students.”
He encouraged them to explore India’s diverse cultures, build international networks and return home equipped not only with academic qualifications but also with broader global perspectives that can contribute to Liberia’s development.
Education Builds Nations
Quoting Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi, Ambassador Verma reminded the students that education remains one of the most powerful instruments for transforming societies.
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever,” he said, urging the scholars to maximize every opportunity available during their stay in India.
He further assured them that the Embassy of India would continue supporting them throughout their academic journey and beyond graduation, adding that they would become part of a growing network of Liberian alumni educated in India.
Alumni Encourage New Scholars
Also speaking during the reception, the Acting President of the Liberia Association of Indian-Trained Professionals/India Technical and Economic Cooperation (LAITP/ITEC-Alumni), Alaskai Moore Johnson congratulated the scholarship recipients and encouraged them to make full use of the educational and professional opportunities awaiting them.
Drawing on the experiences of previous Liberian graduates from Indian institutions, he noted that education in India has equipped many Liberians with valuable technical expertise, professional skills and lifelong friendships that continue to benefit the country’s development. He further urged them to remain studious and abide by the laws of the land.
Some of the speakers from among the scholarship recipients, expressed appreciation to the Governments of India and Liberia as well as the Embassy of India for the opportunity.
They pledged to study diligently, represent Liberia with distinction and return home prepared to contribute meaningfully to national development.
Education at the Heart of India-Liberia Relations
The latest scholarship awards come as educational cooperation continues to emerge as one of the strongest pillars of relations between Liberia and India.
Beyond the ICCR scholarship programme, India has over the years trained hundreds of Liberian professionals through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, covering sectors such as public administration, information technology, banking, healthcare, agriculture, renewable energy, entrepreneurship and governance.
Earlier this year, the Embassy of India announced that 156 Liberians had benefited from ITEC training, highlighting New Delhi’s sustained commitment to strengthening Liberia’s institutional capacity through education and skills development.
The Embassy has also intensified engagements with Liberian universities, government institutions and professional organizations, positioning education as a cornerstone of the broader India-Liberia development partnership.
The ICCR India-Africa Maitri Scholarship Programme is one of the Government of India’s flagship educational initiatives across Africa, providing fully funded opportunities for African students to pursue higher education at leading Indian universities while fostering long-term people-to-people ties between India and African nations.
As Liberia continues pursuing economic transformation under its national development agenda, the growing educational partnership with India is expected to produce a new generation of highly trained professionals equipped to strengthen governance, expand scientific research, accelerate innovation and contribute to sustainable national development.
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