By Politico staff writer
Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the Russian Federation, Mohamed Yongawo, has engaged cross section of Sierra Leonean students who were given Russian Scholarships before COVID-19 disruption of international travels in 2020.
61 students were awarded scholarships to pursue different courses at various universities in Russia.
The meeting, which was organised by the Embassy in collaboration with the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education in Sierra Leone discussed other pertinent issues with the students who are eagerly waiting for the Russian Federation to open its borders to foreign students.
In his statement, Ambassador Yongawo applauded President Julius Maada Bio and his government, for giving the students the opportunity to further their studies abroad. The ambassador added that the New Direction government prioritizes Human Capital Development including Education, which is key.
He said the Embassy and government of Sierra Leone have been engaging Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to see how they could allow the students to travel to Russia and continue their studies.
"I have good news for you people. It was on Friday that the Ministry of Education and some international organisations appealed to the Russian Federation to open its borders to foreign students and they have accepted; but will soon come up with regulations as to how this is going to take effect and when that is done. I am very confident that you people will be here soon", he said.
He added that when he assumed office as Ambassador to the Russian Federation and its 16 accredited countries, he met only 37 students studying in Russia but with his efforts, and with support from the Mission staff, Sierra Leone can now boast of a much larger number of students studying in the country. "And upon your arrival in the Russian Federation, that total number is going to be even higher,” he said.
He admonished the students to be very serious about their online classes and to also learn the basic Russian language now that they all have time to do so.
In her statement, Ms. Wulaimatu Conteh, who is the First Secretary at the Mission told the students that her office doors are always open to them at all times to respond to their needs and concerns relating to their courses.
In his statement, Idrissa Sannoh Students' Secretary at the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, applauded Ambassador Yongawo and his team at the Embassy for such a brilliant initiative to engage the students back home as they have been anxiously waiting to hear from the Ambassador himself and him assuring them of their coming to continue their studies in the Federation.
Sannoh called on the students to feel free to always contact him at any time for clarifications about their courses.
The various student leaders, who spoke on behalf of their colleagues, appealed to Ambassador Yongawo to continue lobbying with the Russian authorities to facilitate their travelling.
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