By Nasratu Kargbo
The Minister of Technical and Higher Education Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie has warned the public against falling for scammers who disguise and claim to be authorities in the sector in order to extort money from the public by asking for money as a requirement for international scholarship and grant-in-aid opportunities.
Speaking at the weekly press conference on the 12th of September 2023, Wurie said “The Ministry of Technical and Higher Education is not asking anyone to pay money, no money is attached to any scholarship or grant-in-aid application.”
She explained that her attention has been drawn to several accounts on Facebook that are created in her name, adding that they advertise scholarship opportunities and request money on those accounts.
The Minister said they have various scholarship programmes which they offer on a merit base. She explained that they usually consider women offering Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture and Mathematics (STEAM) programmes, and people living with physical disabilities amongst others.
Speaking on international scholarships, she listed countries that offer Sierra Leone such opportunities and stated that for this coming academic year, they have already received a notice from Russia to support students and that they will want to train doctors in certain areas. In the area of eligibility for those programmes, the Minister said the countries have their criteria.
In the area of grant-in-aid, the Minister said they have received over fourteen thousand applications across the country. She noted that they cannot offer the grant to all applicants, stating that they, therefore, look for certain criteria to shortlist applicants that will be interviewed, some include prioritizing those offering STEAM courses, and applicants should not be first-year students amongst others.
Wurie stated that the interviews are conducted at the national and district level.
The Minister highlighted the different ways they notify the public about such opportunities, Wurie stressed that via social media, they only advertise on three platforms which are: the Ministry’s website, Facebook page and Twitter. She added that the other means aside from social media is through notices. The Minister gave the authentic details of each handle and stated that they are the only platforms they use to communicate such opportunities.
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