The Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE) has officially bid farewell to 26 Sierra Leonean students awarded scholarships under the 2026/2027 Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme.
The beneficiaries are expected to pursue undergraduate, Master’s and Doctoral programmes at various universities in Hungary. During a pre-departure engagement, Government officials encouraged them to remain focused on their studies, conduct themselves responsibly and serve as worthy representatives of Sierra Leone.
Acting Students Secretary at the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, George A. Dambo, disclosed that more than 1,000 Sierra Leoneans applied for the scholarship programme. Following screening and interviews, approximately 300 applicants were shortlisted and 75 nominated, with 26 ultimately securing the awards.
George A. Dambo said about 91 Sierra Leoneans are currently studying in Hungary under the programme. That number is expected to increase to approximately 117 when the new beneficiaries commence their studies.
He thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Sierra Leone High Commission in Accra and Hungary’s Honorary Consul in Freetown, Jihad N. Eter for supporting the students throughout the visa and biometric processes.
Director of Science Education at the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, Fatmata Kaiwa, urged the beneficiaries to remain disciplined, focused and fully committed to their academic responsibilities.
Fatmata Kaiwa reminded the students that they would be representing Sierra Leone abroad and cautioned them against misconduct and academic dishonesty. She noted that their behaviour and academic performance could affect future scholarship opportunities for other qualified Sierra Leoneans.
Director of the Europe Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Akibo-Jones, similarly encouraged the beneficiaries to protect Sierra Leone’s reputation through hard work, discipline and responsible conduct.
She said their academic success would contribute to strengthening the bilateral relationship between Sierra Leone and Hungary. Akibo-Jones disclosed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation is working closely with Sierra Leone’s diplomatic mission in Berlin to support the students during their stay in Hungary.
Senior Human Resources Officer at the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, William Saha, advised the beneficiaries to respect Hungarian laws, culture and social practices.
He encouraged them to exercise caution when choosing friends and avoid activities that could distract them from their studies. William Saha warned the students not to allow part-time employment or excessive social activities to interfere with their academic responsibilities.
He further encouraged the beneficiaries to return to Sierra Leone after completing their studies and apply the knowledge, skills and international experience acquired in Hungary to the country’s development.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Eliza Akibo-Jones, who is expected to study International Relations at Corvinus University of Budapest, expressed gratitude to the Government and people of Hungary for the scholarship opportunity.
She pledged that the beneficiaries would work hard and return home with knowledge and expertise that could contribute meaningfully to Sierra Leone’s development.
Eliza Akibo-Jones also appealed for continued support for the scholarship programme, particularly in addressing visa processing and travel-related costs encountered by beneficiaries.
Another beneficiary, Malikie Sheriff, who will pursue a Master’s degree in International and European Trade Law at the University of Szeged, said the scholarship would help address Sierra Leone’s shortage of specialized expertise in international trade law.
Malikie Sheriff pledged to use the training to strengthen the country’s legal jurisprudence and support Sierra Leonean businesses involved in international trade.
The beneficiaries were urged to make responsible use of the opportunity, comply with all scholarship requirements and concentrate on successfully completing their respective programmes.
The Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme provides international students with opportunities to pursue higher education at recognized Hungarian institutions. Sierra Leone’s continued participation in the programme is expected to strengthen the country’s human-resource capacity and deepen educational cooperation with Hungary.
