The Islamic Republic of Iran has granted sixteen fully-funded scholarships to Sierra Leonean students for undergraduate and postgraduate studies across various fields. The Iranian Embassy in Freetown held a farewell ceremony on September 6, 2024, attended by Deputy Minister of Technical & Higher Education Mr. Sarjoh Aziz Kamara and Deputy Opposition Leader of Parliament Hon. Daniel Brima Koroma.
This initiative reflects Iran’s enduring friendship with Sierra Leone and aligns with Iran’s commitment to human capital development, complementing President Julius Maada Bio’s “Big Five” priorities. It marks the first large-scale scholarship program by Iran for Sierra Leonean students, offering full financial support to recipients who were selected through a rigorous merit-based process. The chosen fields include medicine, pharmacy, dental surgery, medical laboratory science, midwifery, radiology, various engineering disciplines, and international relations.
The scholarship winners will study at Iran’s top-ranked universities, enhancing their qualifications and contributing to Sierra Leone’s development upon their return. Ambassador H.E. Seyed Khalil Sadati Amiri emphasized the honor and responsibility of representing Sierra Leone in Iran, encouraging students to excel and act as ambassadors of both nations.
Hon. Daniel Brima Koroma expressed gratitude for the Iranian government’s support and highlighted the significant representation of female students among the recipients. He also discussed the positive impact of Iran-Sierra Leone relations and announced plans to establish an Iran-Sierra Leone parliamentary friendship caucus.
Deputy Minister Sarjoh Aziz Kamara praised the initiative as a significant step toward advancing women’s empowerment and human capital development. He urged students to excel in their studies, emphasizing the need for qualified university instructors and professors in Sierra Leone. He also mentioned ongoing efforts to improve educational infrastructure and foster international collaborations.
During the ceremony, a scholarship recipient thanked the Iranian Embassy and presented the ambassador with a framed letter of appreciation.
