By Alieu Amara Suwu
President Bio’s vision is to see all Sierra Leonean children access not only free education but also quality education. And for that, since 2018, Government has been allocating 21% of its national budget to education, which has catered for over 2 Million pupils and students in public universities, especially those studying pure science courses.
In complementing this effort, like other countries and organizations, the Republic of Hungary has assisted Government, through the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education with 44 scholarships to Sierra Leoneans who have expressed concerned to study in Hungary by applying, and successfully acquired all requirements needed. The scholarships are not only limited to undergraduate courses but also postgraduate programs in different disciplines.
Yesterday, 13 September 2022, at the Hungarian Consulate at Spur Road, Freetown, those students, comprising graduates from various universities in Sierra Leone, who have gone through all the processes, converged to receive their documents, including resident visas, passports, and to bid farewell and get congratulatory message on securing such an enviable opportunity.
It could be recalled that the Consular General of the Embassy of the Republic of Hungary resident in Ghana, HE Richard Majtan visited Sierra Leone to conduct interviews to all the successful students at the office of the Honorary Consul of Hungary to Sierra Leone.
Jihad N. Eter, the Honorary Consul of Hungary to Sierra Leone, said the scholarship was indeed to help fast track the Government flagship program (Free Quality Education) for all.
He said as countries whose friendly and bilateral relationship is outstanding, they (Hungary) are pleased to always support Sierra Leone in whatever way.
The Honorary Consul of Hungary to Sierra Leone said the donation is prompted because the Government is striving hard to educate its people, so they expect those who have got the opportunity to make judicious use of it so they could come back and help progress Sierra Leone.
Talking on their departure, he confirmed that those who have already received their resident visas would leave soonest. On the purpose, he said the core mission of the program is to increase the number of foreign students in Hungary and to encourage Hungarian higher education institutions to attract top foreign students.
In conclusion, the Honorary Consul said, the Hungary Government Scholarship is based on effective bilateral educational cooperation agreements between the Ministry of Human Capacities of Hungary and the partner Ministry responsible for higher education, adding that applications are considered eligible if the applicant is nominated by the responsible authorities of the Sending Partner.
Ashiru Jokey, beneficiary of the scholarship, who is a graduate from Fourah Bay College, and intending to study a Master degree in education, described the process as hectic and tiring, but thank God he succeeded.
He said the process started last year December, which took him three weeks to complete the application, and go for various interviews before he was finally shortlisted.
He told Independent Observer that he came to know about the scholarship online, from the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education. He said it will help him capacitate himself well, and will also learn skills in teaching.
He encouraged others to take chance of every opportunity they come across.
Rashida M. Alie, another beneficiary, who will be studying Master in Communications, advised that though some scholarships advertised online are scam, but that should not prevent one from trying, and should be courageous, determined and focused to succeed.
He explained how the process went and the difficulties she encountered. In spite of that, she thanked God and encouraged others to keep on trying.
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