By Foday Moriba Conteh
The Milton Margai Technical University Alumni Association, USA, has on Tuesday 21st January 2025 successfully concluded a two-day interview process for applicants of Phase 1 of its scholarship drive. The initiative, which aims to support 15-20 deserving students at the Goderich Campus, was set to award scholarships before the end of 2024, with funding taking effect for the 2025 academic year. This scholarship program seeks to empower students with excellent academic performance, financial need and active community involvement.
Dr. Fatima Bangura, Chairperson of the Milton Margai Technical University Alumni Association, USA, emphasized the significance of the initiative and its potential impact on students’ educational journeys.
“This scholarship initiative is a collective effort by alumni in the United States, spearheaded by our able President, Sheka Kamara,” Dr. Fatima Bangura stated. “The aim is to assist current students at Milton Margai Technical University with tuition and scholarship benefits. It’s heartbreaking to see students drop out due to lack of funds, and this project seeks to alleviate such struggles for at least 15 to 20 students.”
Chairperson of the Milton Margai Technical University Alumni Association, USA, highlighted the critical need for such support, noting that financial constraints have led many capable students to abandon their educational pursuits. She expressed hope that the scholarship program would provide a lifeline for students, enabling them to continue their studies and contribute meaningfully to their communities and the nation.
The selection process has been designed to ensure fairness and transparency. Applications were submitted via email or through a designated WhatsApp contact managed by the alumni President in the United States. This method was implemented to eliminate local bias and ensure that beneficiaries are genuinely in need.
“We’ve shortlisted 50 students from second-year and above who meet the eligibility criteria,” Dr. Fatima Bangura explained. “First-year students who applied were informed that they do not qualify for this phase. Over the next two days, they interviewed the shortlisted candidates to finalize the list of beneficiaries,” she added.
Dr. Fatima Bangura emphasized the Alumni Association’s commitment to sustaining the scholarship program and expanding its reach in the coming years. “This is just the beginning. We hope to extend this initiative to support students across all campuses of Milton Margai Technical University and continue empowering young people to achieve their academic goals,” she concluded.
The Human Resource Manager of Milton Margai Technical University (MMTU), Khadiatu Juanah, emphasized the program’s importance in addressing the financial challenges faced by many students.
“This scholarship is a great achievement for both the alumni and the university,” Khadiatu Juanah stated. “We’ve long sought ways to support students struggling with tuition fees. The alumni stepping in to provide this assistance is a significant step forward in ensuring students can pursue their education without interruption.”
The initiative comes at a critical time when many students are unable to meet tuition deadlines, despite showing great academic promise. Khadiatu Juanah highlighted that the scholarship would alleviate these challenges for deserving students, enabling them to focus on their studies.
“Many students have genuine issues paying fees, even though they have the passion and the potential to excel,” she noted. “This scholarship will go a long way in helping those who are truly in need, ensuring they can continue their academic journey.”
She assured the public of the transparency and accountability of the selection process. The shortlisted candidates were publicly announced and interviews were conducted to ensure that only deserving students benefit from the program.
“We’ve made the process open and inclusive,” she said. “Shortlisted applicants were selected based on clear criteria, including academic performance and financial need. The final list will undergo further checks with the finance and exams offices to ensure compliance with the set guidelines.”
Khadiatu Juanah also encouraged students to work hard and maintain high academic standards, noting that the scholarship rewards both merit and need.
“My message to students is simple: study hard, attend classes and perform well,” she said. “The alumni association is committed to supporting students who meet these criteria and we hope this scholarship will motivate many to strive for excellence.”
Looking ahead, she revealed that the alumni association plans to expand the scholarship program to other campuses and make it an ongoing initiative.
“This is just the beginning. The alumni have assured us that they intend to extend this scholarship scheme beyond this year and across all campuses of the university,” she concluded.
Commenting on behalf of applicants, Abdul Sheriff Conteh expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Milton Margai Technical University Alumni Association, USA, for the scholarship opportunity. He commended the transparency and encouragement demonstrated during the interview process and appreciated the panel for taking the time to listen to the stories and challenges faced by applicants.
Abdul Sheriff Conteh highlighted that the scholarship will significantly impact his academic journey, offering hope and the chance to pursue his dreams without the financial burden that often hinders students.
He concluded by applauding the alumni for their investment in the university’s students and their belief in the transformative power of education.
The scholarship initiative reflects the alumni association’s dedication to fostering educational advancement and empowering students to achieve their full potential. It also underscores the vital role alumni play in supporting their alma mater and addressing societal challenges.
