Transforming Lives

IMERC is a dual registered not-for-profit education and research institution present in

Monrovia, Liberia and Baltimore, Maryland, USA. IMERC's  vision is to transform the regional

maritime educational, scientific and technological landscape in maritime knowhow and

populate available industry high-level personnel from the West African region, to take a

commanding role in innovative marine scientific and technological breakthroughs through

research and active participation.

In this vein, IMERC has embarked on a mission to elevate marine education by exceeding global

standards to produce world-class professionals in various marine science disciplines, and

collaborating with renown institutions on critical research projects in the areas of marine

environment protection, climate change and the marine ecology, safety of life at sea, the blue

economy, etc.

IMERC was founded in 2019 by its current Chairman and Executive Director, Amos L.

Zanwonjah, who together with a corps of maritime executives, each with more than thirty years

of industry experience, put together a plan to establish a marine studies college in Liberia. Since

1986, the Liberian Maritime Authority (formerly Bureau of Maritime Affairs) has operated the

Liberian Marine Training Institute and sends its graduates to Ghana, Egypt and other countries

for further studies. Additional students are sent abroad for studies as well. With the opening of

the Marine Education Studies College in Liberia, these students would matriculate there in

greater numbers at much less cost.

The College is expected to graduate its inaugural class in 2027 with Bachelor of Science degrees

in Marine Engineering, Marine Environment and Climate Science, Maritime Administration, and

Maritime Business Administration and Blue Economics.

About the Executive Director

Amos L. Zanwonjah is a classic trainee product of the Liberian Maritime

Program. He received  his Master of Science in General Maritime Administration

from the World Maritime University. He began his service in the Bureau of

Maritime Affairs and rose through the ranks, serving as Assistant

Commissioner and eventually Deputy Commissioner.

Amos has authored several professional works that have been published in

industry forums. These include:

1. Basic Safety Training Modules 5. The Causes of the Civil Rights Movement

2. Impact of Covid-19 6. New Liberia after the Civil War

3. Joe Biden – The Pathways to Presidency 7. Safety and Security for Traveler Ships and

Off-Shore Installations

4. The Reginal Maritime University (RMU) 8. Port and Shipping Management

IMERC  as  a non-profit corporation  shall operate exclusively for educational and charitable purposes within the meaning of

Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future

Federal tax code, including the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt

organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

1. The specific purpose of this corporation is to:

a. Provide an effective forum for interaction, problem solving and discussion of educational

research issues among research professionals.

b. Provide education, including establishing educational entities.

c. Provide a readily accessible mechanism for regional educational program development.

d. Improve the standards and quality of research through education.

e. Provide money, personnel, or other aids for the strengthening, development, and enlargement

of a college and its programs now in existence or hereafter created.

f. Make donations or contributions to, or assist in the support of, current college activities and

undertakings or the establishment and support of any new functions and/or objectives.

g. Purchase or make contributions toward the acquisition of books, materials, and equipment of

the erection and construction of buildings and facilities, which will contribute to the education

and administrative resources of the college.

h. Provide educational loans, scholarships, or grants in aid for students at the college.

i. Contribute to and make donations for all property objects, projects, functions, services, and

activities now or hereafter carried on or sponsored by the Corporation.

j. Establish and manage such endowment funds as may be required for the implementation of its

objectives.

To maximize our impact on current efforts, the Corporation may seek to collaborate with other

non-profit organizations which fall under the 501(c)(3) section of the internal revenue code and

are operated exclusively for educational and charitable purposes.

At times, per the discretion of the board of directors, we may provide internships or volunteer

opportunities which will provide opportunities for involvement in said activities and program to

have a greater impact for change.

IMERC's  vision is to transform the regional maritime educational, scientific and

technological landscape By elevating marine education and exceeding global standards to

produce world-class professionals in various marine science disciplines, and collaborating with

renown institutions on critical research projects in the areas of marine environment protection,

climate change and the marine ecology, safety of life at sea, the blue economy, etc.