Signaling nearly a decade of partnership between Georgia Tech and the Republic of Liberia, the two parties have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) solidifies their relationship around communication technologies and development. Signing on behalf of Georgia Tech was Yves Berthelot, vice provost for international initiatives and professor in the George W. Woodruff School fo Mechanical Engineering.

“It gives me enormous pleasure to formalize our important relationship with the Republic of Liberia. We are committed to the partnership that this MOU represents and are thrilled about our future working together.”

Signing on behalf of the Liberian Telecommunication Corporation (LibTelCo), the national communications operator, Deputy Chair of the Board Pierre King is looking forward to working further with the institute.

“On behalf of LibTelCo, we are very pleased to work alongside the world leading Georgia Tech to develop technology in Liberia that will enable us to communicate with the world and develop our people and our economy.”

Signing on behalf of the Liberian ambassador to the United States, Honorary Consul General in Georgia Cynthia Blandford hopes the partnership will make a positive impact on Liberia's development.

“This is a very happy day for Liberia. Georgia Tech has shown outstanding leadership, partnering with us to further develop our information and communication technologies. Signing this MoU will further cement our relationship and help develop Liberia’s way forward.”

Georgia Tech is a member of the University Consortium for Liberia (UCL), an organization that brings together colleges and educational institutions focused on study abroad, student and faculty exchange, service learning and scholarships with a particular focus on Africa.

The technology partnership with Liberia has been anchored by Georgia Tech Associate Professor Michael Best, who is jointly appointed in the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs and the School of Interactive Computing. Best’s work focuses on the role of information and communication technologies and international development especially in Africa and Asia.

The MOU underlines areas of cooperation including technology training including training of executive leadership within the government of Liberia; advisory research; and the establishment of a center of excellence on information and communication technologies and development. In particular, the enhanced relationship between Georgia Tech and the Republic of Liberia will focus on broadband internet access across the country and the new international internet connection, the ACE fiber cable, which was recently connected in Liberia’s capital city, Monrovia.