By Foday Moriba Conteh
In a ceremony held on September 10, 2024, the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE) bid farewell to 32 Sierra Leonean students selected for a prestigious Hungarian scholarship programme. The students will be pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in various fields in Hungary, an opportunity aimed at enhancing their skills and knowledge to contribute to Sierra Leone’s national development.
The Acting Student Secretary of MTHE, George Dambo, addressed the gathering, highlighting the significance of this scholarship opportunity. He noted that the scholarship covers full tuition, a monthly stipend, accommodation contribution, and medical insurance, but emphasized that the provisions are supplementary. The students were reminded to prepare for additional living costs and to be responsible for their airfare to and from Hungary upon completing their studies.
Khadijatu Alpha, the Acting Director of Europe at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC), commended MTHE for its transparent and fair selection process. She stressed the importance of human capital development, a priority of President Julius Maada Bio’s government, and expressed MOFAIC’s commitment to securing more scholarship opportunities for Sierra Leoneans in the future. Congratulating the awardees, she described the scholarships as life-changing and urged them to make the most of this opportunity.
MTHE’s Chief Technical and Higher Education Officer, Dr. Josephus Brimah, urged the students to serve as ambassadors of Sierra Leone while in Hungary. He advised them to focus on their studies and avoid engaging in Hungary’s political affairs. Brimah expressed optimism that the students’ performance could potentially lead to an increase in scholarship quotas for Sierra Leonean students in subsequent years. He also encouraged them to return to Sierra Leone after completing their studies to contribute to the nation’s development.
The keynote address was delivered by MTHE’s Minister, Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, who described the ceremony as a pivotal moment for the awardees. “Today we recognize not only your achievements but also the immense potential you hold as future leaders, innovators, and professionals of Sierra Leone,” she said. Dr. Wurie extended her gratitude to the Hungarian government for its continued support, emphasizing that these scholarships represent an investment in the future of Sierra Leone, enabling young minds to acquire the skills necessary for national development.
Dr. Wurie congratulated the students on their selection, noting that their hard work and dedication had earned them the opportunity to represent Sierra Leone on the international stage. She encouraged them to immerse themselves in Hungarian culture, embrace diverse ideas, and develop a global perspective. She also urged them to seize every opportunity during their studies to enhance their personal and professional growth.
The scholarship programme, which is part of Hungary’s contribution to Sierra Leone’s human capital development, represents a significant step in fostering international collaboration in education, ultimately benefiting the nation as the students return with enhanced knowledge and skills to contribute to Sierra Leone’s progress.
