Freetown: Ministry of Technical and Higher Education participated in the National Study Abroad Summit 2026, organized by Scholarly Path, under the theme, 'Connecting Sierra Leone's Brightest Minds to Global Education and Scholarship Opportunities.' The summit brought together government officials, development partners, scholarship providers, students, university leaders, and alumni to explore international education opportunities and strengthen pathways for Sierra Leonean students accessing global scholarships.
According to Sierra Leone News Agency, the Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, reaffirmed the Government of Sierra Leone's commitment to investing in human capital development through expanding access to quality tertiary education locally and internationally. Dr. Wurie commended Scholarly Path for partnering with the government to organize the summit, describing the initiative as timely and impactful in preparing young Sierra Leoneans for global academic opportunities.
Grounding her remarks in Section 9 of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone and Sustainable Development Goal 4, the Minister emphasized that ensuring equitable access to quality education constitutes a constitutional obligation and a national development priority. She assured students that all scholarship opportunities facilitated through the Ministry remain completely free of charge, stressing that applicants are never required to pay to apply, be shortlisted, or be nominated. 'If anyone asks you for money in connection with Ministry-facilitated scholarships, that is not legitimate, and I encourage you to report it,' she stated.
The Minister provided a detailed explanation of the Government's scholarship process, noting that opportunities arrive through official government channels, primarily the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, before public advertisement across the Ministry's communication platforms and universities. Applications undergo screening strictly according to eligibility requirements from awarding countries, after which qualified candidates face shortlisting and interviewing by multi-stakeholder panels ensuring transparency, fairness, and merit-based selection. Dr. Wurie clarified that the Ministry handles nomination responsibility, while final selection rests entirely with awarding countries or institutions.
She highlighted a new pre-departure support package introduced by the Ministry to better prepare successful scholarship recipients through ensuring full understanding of award terms and benefits before departure. Encouraging students to pursue international education confidently, Dr. Wurie emphasized that studying abroad extends beyond earning academic qualifications. 'It is not just about where you study; it is about who you become,' she said, urging students to serve as ambassadors of Sierra Leone by demonstrating integrity, excellence, and leadership wherever they study. International education equips students with cross-cultural competence, global perspectives, critical thinking, leadership skills, and international networks that ultimately contribute to national development upon return. The Minister concluded by reaffirming President Julius Maada Bio's commitment to ensuring that every Sierra Leonean accesses quality education and opportunities for realizing full potential.
As a summit component, Dr. Wurie moderated a high-level panel discussion themed 'From Global Classrooms to National Leadership: The Transformative Power of International Education,' featuring Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh. Reflecting on his educational journey from Sierra Leone to Norway, Harvard University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dr. Sengeh encouraged students to believe in their abilities and pursue scholarship opportunities with determination.
He attributed success not only to academic excellence but also to community service, leadership, volunteering, sports, and extracurricular activities, emphasizing that leading universities seek well-rounded individuals demonstrating both academic potential and social impact. Dr. Sengeh urged students to remain connected to Sierra Leone regardless of study location, stressing that international education should ultimately serve national development. 'Study abroad is not about leaving Sierra Leone behind; it is about gaining knowledge and returning to contribute to your country,' he remarked.
The panel addressed challenges students may encounter abroad, including cultural adjustment and discrimination, with Dr. Sengeh encouraging young people to remain resilient, confident, and focused on their goals.
Chief Executive Officer of Orange Sierra Leone, Aicha Tour©, shared her educational journey from Mali to France and later the MIT Sloan Fellows MBA program, describing international education as life-changing. Orange Sierra Leone remains committed to empowering young people through Orange Digital Centres, which provided free digital skills training to more than 6,000 young Sierra Leoneans, including over 3,500 women. Tour© encouraged students to dream beyond circumstances, embrace lifelong learning, and use education for creating positive change within 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 personal academic journey through multiple international scholarships, he noted the initiative seeks to ensure talented students receive guidance, mentorship, and information necessary for competing successfully for admission into leading universities worldwide.
President of the National Union of Sierra Leone Students, Fiona Ngima, welcomed participants and described the summit as a defining moment for Sierra Leone's education sector. 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 background, can access global education.