BY: Precious Miracle Kargbo Snr
Sierra Leone’s partnership with India in education and capacity building has received a boost, with 11 Sierra Leonean students departing for undergraduate studies in India, while three professionals begin specialized training under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme.
The send-off ceremony was attended by Mr. Neeraj Kumar Saini, Charge d’Affaires a.i. at the High Commission of India in Freetown, who encouraged the beneficiaries to make the most of the opportunities.
“Investing in youth is investing in the future of Sierra Leone,” Saini said. “We look forward to you returning home with knowledge, skills and experiences that will contribute directly to national progress.”
The 11 students will pursue various undergraduate degree programmes at NIST University in India, joining a growing number of Sierra Leoneans benefiting from Indian scholarships.
According to the Indian High Commission, the initiative demonstrates the longstanding friendship between India and Sierra Leone, with education and human resource development remaining key areas of bilateral cooperation.
Meanwhile, three Sierra Leonean professionals are undertaking short-term ITEC training programmes in India this September, aimed at strengthening professional skills and public institutions.
Mr. Saidu Bangura of the Sierra Leone Shipping Agency will participate in a course on Small Business Planning and Promotion at the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development from September 7 to 18.
The training is expected to provide participants with practical knowledge and tools to support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and contribute to job creation.
From the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Mr. Sheikh Ibrahim Kamara and Ms. Elizabeth Kamara will undertake training in Public Health Policy and Management at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research from September 9 to 14.
The programme will focus on health systems strengthening, policy development and service delivery, areas considered important to Sierra Leone’s ongoing health sector reforms.
The ITEC programme, established by India in 1964, provides fully funded training opportunities to professionals from partner countries in areas including health, governance, agriculture, information technology and entrepreneurship.
The High Commission of India said the latest scholarships and ITEC placements would further strengthen India-Sierra Leone cooperation in capacity building and human resource development.
The mission added that the programmes are designed to share Indian expertise and best practices while supporting Sierra Leone’s sustainable development priorities.
The latest beneficiaries add to years of India-Sierra Leone cooperation, which has seen students, health professionals, engineers and public officials from Sierra Leone receive training and education in Indian institutions.
As the beneficiaries begin their respective programmes, the Indian mission stressed that the partnership goes beyond financial assistance, focusing instead on developing skills and expertise that can contribute to Sierra Leone’s national development.
“May you return with skills that build institutions, businesses and healthier communities,” Saini told the beneficiaries.