In a moving display of gratitude and aspiration, sixteen Sierra Leonean students studying in the Islamic Republic of Iran paid a courtesy visit this week to the Sierra Leonean Ambassador to Iran, His Excellency Salamu Koroma, and his staff at the Sierra Leonean Embassy in Tehran. The students, recipients of academic scholarships granted through the Iranian Embassy in Freetown, are enrolled in top Iranian universities, pursuing degrees across a wide range of fields including medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, agricultural engineering, mining engineering, and international relations.
Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Hamad Tijan Bangura, a student of general medicine, congratulated Ambassador Koroma on his recent appointment, expressing confidence in the ambassador’s ability to further strengthen diplomatic and educational ties between the two nations. He also acknowledged the instrumental role played by Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister of Higher and Technical Education, Dr. Sarjoh Aziz Kamara, in facilitating the scholarship program. While expressing gratitude for the opportunity to study in Iran, Bangura highlighted several challenges faced by 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. “But our studies are being constrained by financial hardships, and we are calling on our government for support.”
In his response, Ambassador Koroma warmly welcomed the students and applauded their initiative to visit the embassy. He stressed the importance of registering with the embassy for legal protection and diplomatic representation, especially in a foreign country. Addressing the concerns raised, the ambassador noted that the scholarship program had not been formally channeled through the Government of Sierra Leone, which may have contributed to gaps in support. He pledged to engage the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Higher Education to explore sustainable solutions. “This is the first time we are hosting such a significant number of Sierra Leonean students in Iran,” he remarked. “You are pioneers, focus on your studies, embrace the technology and knowledge here, and return home as agents of change.”
Fourth-year medical student Alhassan Jalloh, who has been studying at Tehran University, offered words of encouragement to the new cohort, urging them to prioritize learning Persian, the medium of instruction in most academic institutions. The head of the student group, Isata Juldeh, expressed renewed confidence in the embassy’s support after the meeting. She presented an award the group had received after winning a national cooking competition in Iran, offering it to Ambassador Koroma as a symbol of appreciation. “We are committed to obeying the laws of this country and excelling academically,” she said. “We hope the embassy will continue to guide us as a parent would.”
