“Academic Fraud Is the Enemy of Excellence” Dr. Layli Maparyan

Monrovia,Liberia: Dr. Layli Maparyan, President of the University of Liberia (UL), has publicly confirmed the findings of a sweeping investigation into widespread academic fraud within the university’s system a scandal that has already led to the immediate termination of eight employees.

The findings come from a four-month probe conducted by the Special Committee to Investigate Academic Fraud, which examined multiple incidents of misconduct, including the highly publicized “Dorr Cooper Incident.” According to Dr. Maparyan, the report concluded “coordinated acts of academic fraud did occur,” implicating personnel from the Department of Public Administration (PADM), the Office of Enrollment Services (OES), and the Office of Information Technology (OIT).

“Academic fraud is the antithesis of academic integrity and the enemy of academic excellence,” Dr. Maparyan said during a press briefing.

“Impunity will not be an option.”

In addition to the eight terminations, one employee has been suspended until the end of 2025, while two others, initially under suspicion, have been cleared due to lack of conclusive evidence.

Dr. Maparyan was unequivocal in her resolve to not only punish wrongdoing but to root out a culture of academic malpractice that she says has tarnished the institution’s reputation for far too long.

“On my watch, the University of Liberia will be restored to academic integrity and academic excellence,” she declared.

“The educational mission of UL must be freed from the shackles of academic misconduct and corrupt academic practices.”

Sweeping Reforms Unveiled

Based on the committee’s recommendations, UL is initiating a slate of institutional reforms aimed at preventing future abuses:

The investigative committee will now become a standing oversight body, renamed the Committee to Investigate Academic Fraud (CIAF).

A Whistle blower Platform (ULWP) will be launched, enabling students, faculty, alumni, and staff to anonymously report suspected fraud.

The Office of Enrollment Services will be overhauled, a move some say is long overdue.

Stricter policies on academic fraud for both employees and students will be introduced, along with awareness programs to reinforce institutional values.

These measures, Dr. Maparyan emphasized, are not symbolic but structural a reset for a university seeking to regain both public trust and academic credibility.

A Pivotal Moment for Higher Education in Liberia

While the administration’s response has been swift, questions remain among the public and academic observers. Why did it take such a high-profile incident to force a reckoning? Were there earlier warning signs that were ignored?

Still, many see this as a defining moment for higher education in Liberia.

“We are in a position to elevate this university’s academic standards and reputation,” Dr. Maparyan said.

“Academic integrity will prevail — and academic fraud will perish.”