By Mabinty M. Kamara
16 Sierra Leonean students are set to depart for India to pursue various programmes ranging from undergraduate, post graduate and doctoral degrees in different universities and disciplines after securing fully- funded scholarships from the Indian government.
Some of the awardees will be leaving this October whilst the others will depart by November depending on the university calendar.
The High Commissioner of India to Sierra Leone Rakesh Arora made this disclosure at the celebration of the Indian Technical & Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Day with alumni members in Freetown on the 29th September this year.
In addition, Sierra Leone is also one of the beneficiaries of the scholarships under India’s e-Vidya Bharati or tele-education programme for online Under Graduate and Post Graduate courses from universities in India.
According to officials of the Indian High Commission, more than 200 students from Sierra Leone have enrolled and are pursuing various online courses at the Learning Centre established by the Indian government at Fourah Bay College, consisting of a Computer Lab & Multi-media Room.
Speaking on the occasion, High Commissioner Rakesh Arora said that under the ITEC Programme, India has provided more than 12,000 scholarships for over 300 short, medium and long-term capacity building courses to nationals from more than 150 countries including Sierra Leone.
He added that since 1964 the ITEC Programme has focused on sharing India’s own development experiences with fellow developing countries on the basis of partnership and cooperation. ITEC offers country-specific and institution-specific courses which are demand-driven.
He said the Government of India took two new initiatives in 2019, the first being the launch of eITEC, which is live online training; and the ITEC-on-site, which involves ITEC resource persons visiting the partner country to deliver tailor-made courses.
According to officials, the Indian High Commission has in recent past, coordinated training programmes for officials of the National Electoral Commission, Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
India is said to offer 60 slots every year for Sierra Leoneans to participate in short, medium and long-term capacity building programmes. Hundreds of government officials as well as private sector employees have visited India to enhance their skills through programmes offered under the ITEC Programme.
While sharing their experiences the alumni members elaborated on how the ITEC Programme has changed their careers, perceptions and lives.
The Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Professor Alpha Tejan Wurie on 30th September bade farewell to the departing students at his office in Freetown.
Copyright © Politico Online (06/10/21)
