By: Barclay Karnley
MONROVIA: The National Road Fund of Liberia during the weekend officially launched the second cohort internship program for at least 20 graduating University students in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) in other to build their capacity in their various arena of studies.
Launching the program on behalf of the National Road Fund Manager, the Chief Administrative Officer of the National Road Fund of Liberia, John Tokpah, said the STEAM program is intended to actively involve young Liberians in the developmental drive of the Country.
According to him, the program will pave way to invest in the next generation of professionals and talented young Liberians to lead Liberia’s transformation and development process.
Tokpah further said that the program will give students hands-on experience, mentorship and the opportunity to meaningfully contribute to Liberia’s development in all aspects of their studies.
“Our first cohort which was launched last year 2023 has inspired us to continue this initiative, and we are excited to witness the growth and contributions of the next group of talented interns. This internship program is not only intended to enhance the skills and experience of young people but also to ensure their active involvement in national development,” he asserted.
He, meanwhile noted that the National Road Fund of Liberia expresses excitement for the creation of a platform were young minds can learn, innovate and make tangible impacts.
Giving an overview of the internship program, National Road Fund of Liberia Chief Program officer, Albert Samukai, disclosed that the second cohort internship was launched due to statistics that show the limited number of young Liberians who are not employed in their field of studies, upon their graduations from universities across the country.
According to the Chief Program Officer, qualified graduating students’ must attain the age range of thirty-one (31) below and an average GPA of not less than three (3) points and must be a major student in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics as pre-requisite for qualification to take part in the internship program.
The National Road Fund of Liberia Chief Program officer noted that internship students will be involved in two weeks intensive training on hard scale and soft scale including engineering and road construction throughout the Country, something according to him, will improve what they have learned over the years in school.
He stresses that students must demonstrate youth community service or leadership and must be a Liberian to enrol in the program.
The launching program was graced by officials from the Ministry of Public Works, Engineering Society of Liberia, society of women engineers of Liberia amongst others.
