By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara
In a heartfelt and hopeful gesture, sixteen Sierra Leonean students studying in Iran paid a courtesy visit this week to His Excellency Salamu Koroma, Sierra Leone’s ambassador to Iran, and his team at the Sierra Leonean embassy in Tehran, these students, beneficiaries of academic scholarships awarded through the Iranian embassy in Freetown, are currently enrolled in leading Iranian universities, pursuing diverse degrees in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, agricultural engineering, mining engineering, and international relations.
Speaking on behalf of his peers, Hamad Tijan Bangura, a general medicine student, congratulated Ambassador Koroma on his recent appointment and expressed confidence in his leadership to strengthen diplomatic and educational ties between Sierra Leone and Iran. Bangura also acknowledged the pivotal role of Sierra Leone’s deputy minister of higher and technical Education, Sarjoh Aziz Kamara, in facilitating the scholarship program.
While expressing deep gratitude for the opportunity to study in Iran, Bangura highlighted several pressing challenges faced by the students, including limited scholarship coverage, lack of medical insurance, and absence of living stipends, we are here not just for personal gain but to acquire knowledge that will ultimately benefit Sierra Leone, he said, however, financial hardships are constraining our studies, and we appeal to our government for support.”
Ambassador Koroma warmly welcomed the students and commended their proactive engagement with the embassy; he emphasized the importance of registering with the embassy to ensure legal protection and effective diplomatic representation while studying abroad. Addressing the concerns raised, the ambassador noted that the scholarship program had not been formally processed through the government of Sierra Leone, which may explain the gaps in support.
He assured the students that he would liaise with the ministries of foreign affairs and higher education to seek sustainable solutions, this is the first time we are hosting such a significant number of Sierra Leonean students in Iran, Ambassador Koroma remarked, you are pioneers focus on your studies, embrace the knowledge and technology here, and return home as agents of change.
Fourth-year medical student Alhassan Jalloh, currently studying at Tehran University, encouraged the new students to prioritize learning Persian, which is the primary language of instruction in most Iranian academic institutions.
The student group leader, Isata Juldeh, expressed renewed confidence in the embassy’s support following the meeting. She presented an award the group had won in a national cooking competition in Iran to Ambassador Koroma as a symbol of their appreciation, we are committed to obeying the laws of this country and excelling academically, she said, we look forward to continued guidance from the embassy, just as a parent supports their children.
Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Monday, June 2nd, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
