The "CHub-Knowledge Exchange" educational program by OST/BTFS in Liberia focuses on
international knowledge transfer and sustainable educational partnerships. The first
initiative of its kind was successfully conducted in the Liberian capital, Monrovia, from
January 31 to February 14, 2025, with approximately 28 students participating. This program
kickoff will be followed by defined projects implemented by teams of graduates by the end
of August 2025. The key objectives include:
🔹 Knowledge Transfer & Capacity Building - Delivering Swiss expertise in water
management and solar energy through training sessions and educational offerings.
🔹 Hands-on Learning & Innovation – Practical workshops on solar energy and water
purification to address real-world challenges.
🔹 International Collaboration – Strengthening ties between Swiss and Liberian institutions
for long-term academic and technological partnerships.
In recent years, OST University of Applied Sciences Rapperswil, under the auspices of the
Institute for Environmental and Process Engineering (UMTEC) and BTFS, has established
close collaborations with educational institutions in Liberia. These projects have been
funded by the Rotary Club Oberer Zürichsee, engineering firms from the Linth region, and
beyond—an initiative that has now caught the attention of President Joseph N. Boakai.
Thanks to personal connections facilitated by BTFS President Felix Walz, a meeting with the
Liberian Head of State took place on March 25, 2025. The scheduled audience, initially
planned for a shorter duration, extended to an in-depth 90-minute discussion.
The meeting was initiated by Dr. Joseph T. Isaac, Principal of Margibi University, and Walz
was accompanied by Dr. Emmanuel U. Yarkpawolo (Director of the Environmental Protection
Agency, EPA) and Prof. (em) Dr. Hansruedi Schneider (former Head of the Institute for
Geotechnics at the former HSR, now OST). Together, they presented the concept of the
knowledge exchange center, which was financed and launched by OST. The presentation
was well received: President Boakai expressed great interest, recognizing Switzerland as a
valuable partner with its outstanding education system. Especially in times of global
instability and the U.S. withdrawal from humanitarian development cooperation, the "CHub
Program" stands as a strong commitment to international educational support.
President Boakai, who has prioritized education, infrastructure, and anti-corruption efforts
under his ARREST agenda since early 2024, views the Swiss CHub education project as a
crucial asset for Liberia. As a gesture of collaboration, he intends to send an official
cooperation message to Switzerland, highlighting the "CHub Program" as a key initiative.
In the spirit of Nelson Mandela’s words: "Education is the most powerful weapon which you
can use to change the world”Bildung ist die stärkste Waffe, um die Welt zu verändern.“
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