By Musa Aiahson Koroma

The Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE) placed scholarship transparency at the center of discussions during the National Study Abroad Summit 2026. The summit was held on Thursday, 9 July, at the Miatta Civic Center in Freetown, organized by Scholarly Path under the theme “Connecting Sierra Leone’s Brightest Minds to Global Education and Scholarship Opportunities.”

The event brought together government officials, development partners, scholarship providers, students, university leaders, and alumni. It created a platform to explore international education opportunities and strengthen pathways for Sierra Leonean students to access global scholarships.

In her keynote address, Minister of Technical and Higher Education Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to human capital development. She stressed that expanding access to quality tertiary education, both locally and internationally, remains a national priority.

Dr. Wurie commended Scholarly Path for partnering with the Government to organize the summit. She grounded her remarks in Section 9 of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone and Sustainable Development Goal 4, noting that equitable access to education is both a constitutional duty and a development goal.

The Minister assured students that all scholarships facilitated through MTHE are free of charge. “If anyone asks you for money in connection with ministry‑facilitated scholarships, that is not legitimate, and I encourage you to report it,” she said.

She explained that scholarship opportunities are received through official government channels, mainly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, before being advertised publicly across MTHE’s communication platforms and universities. Applications are screened according to eligibility requirements provided by awarding countries. Qualified candidates are then shortlisted and interviewed by multi‑stakeholder panels to ensure transparency and merit‑based selection.

Dr. Wurie clarified that while MTHE nominates successful candidates, the final decision rests with the awarding countries or institutions. She also introduced a new pre‑departure support package designed to prepare scholarship recipients by ensuring they understand the terms and benefits of their awards before leaving Sierra Leone.

Encouraging students to pursue international education with confidence, she stated: “It is not just about where you study; it is about who you become.” She urged students to represent Sierra Leone with integrity, excellence, and leadership wherever they study.

She added that international education equips students with cross‑cultural competence, global perspectives, critical thinking, leadership skills, and international networks that contribute to national development upon their return. Dr. Wurie concluded by reaffirming President Julius Maada Bio’s commitment to ensuring that every Sierra Leonean has access to quality education and opportunities to realize their full potential.

As part of the summit, Dr. Wurie moderated a high‑level panel discussion titled “From Global Classrooms to National Leadership: The Transformative Power of International Education.” The panel featured Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, who reflected on his academic journey from Sierra Leone to Norway, Harvard University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Dr. Sengeh encouraged students to believe in their abilities and pursue scholarship opportunities with determination. He explained that leading universities look for well‑rounded individuals who combine academic potential with social impact. “Leading universities seek well‑rounded individuals who demonstrate both academic potential and social impact,” he said.

He urged students to remain connected to Sierra Leone regardless of where they study. “Study abroad is not about leaving Sierra Leone behind; it is about gaining knowledge and returning to contribute to your country,” he added.

The panel also discussed challenges students may face while studying abroad, including cultural adjustment and discrimination. Dr. Sengeh encouraged young people to remain resilient, confident, and focused on their goals.

Orange Sierra Leone’s Chief Executive Officer, Aicha Touré, also addressed the summit. She shared her educational journey from Mali to France and later the MIT Sloan Fellows MBA programme. Touré said Orange Sierra Leone remains committed to empowering young people through its Orange Digital Centres, which have already provided free digital skills training to more than 6,000 Sierra Leoneans, including over 3,500 women.

She encouraged students to dream beyond their circumstances, embrace lifelong learning, and use their education to create positive change within their communities and across Africa.

Founder and Executive Director of Scholarly Path, Wantoe Teah Wantoe, described the summit as the beginning of a long‑term national movement aimed at mentoring Sierra Leonean students and connecting them with world‑class scholarship opportunities. Drawing from his own academic journey through multiple international scholarships, he said the initiative seeks to ensure that talented students receive the guidance, mentorship, and information necessary to compete successfully for admission into leading universities around the world.

President of the National Union of Sierra Leone Students (NUSS), Fiona Ngima, welcomed participants and described the summit as a defining moment for Sierra Leone’s education sector. She said the partnership between NUSS and Scholarly Path reflects a shared commitment to expanding educational opportunities, strengthening student leadership, and ensuring that talented young Sierra Leoneans, regardless of their backgrounds, can access global education.

The National Study Abroad Summit 2026 ended with renewed commitments from government, private sector, and civil society partners to continue supporting Sierra Leonean students in accessing international education and scholarship opportunities.

 Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 13th July 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)