Kaustella Kialain-Sarsih

What motivates you? 

It has and still is my dream to play a pivotal role in the infrastructural development of my country. I focus on road maintenance because roads are vital to any development agenda due to the high impact it has on the economy and society. I am passionate about bridging the developmental gaps within my country to improve access to farms, schools, hospitals, and other socioeconomic activities and centers.

What drew you to your professional field?

After realizing the gaps in development between Africa and the Western world, I became curious about what I can do as an individual to contribute to solving these infrastructure gaps. My interest in development influenced my decision to become an engineer and I have dedicated my life to a career that directly contributes to the development and maintenance of roads which is vital to improving accessibility and the quality of life for our citizens.

What is something from your country that you would like to share with the UC Davis community?

I would like to share my knowledge and experience in Liberia’s public sector as a government official and a former civil servant. I believe sharing my practical knowledge of my institution’s procedures for planning, designing and implementing infrastructure projects will give the context of our development status and set the basis for broadening my Leadership skills with appropriate and applicable knowledge learned from the Leadership In Public Management Institution Track.

How would you like to engage with UC Davis and the community here?

I would like to engage with UC Davis and the community in areas of technology advancement, and in the engineering field in relation to road construction and maintenance activities. I would also like to meet and share experiences with private and public sector engineering professionals that have vast experience in their fields and have an interest in or are familiar with the West African terrain. This will give me practical knowledge of public management within engineering and public works. I’m interested in future exchange activities with UC Davis as it relates to environmental quality and climate-resilient infrastructure that are applicable to Liberia. This will create a platform for knowledge sharing and future project opportunities for my country. Lastly, I am open to learning new things in the areas of agriculture, environmental engineering and policies, and energy efficiency.