A total of 70 Ugandan students have set off for Iran to pursue various academic programs, ranging from arts to sciences, after being awarded scholarships by the Iranian government. The students, who received a briefing at the National Chairman’s office in Kyambogo, were encouraged to make the most of the educational opportunity provided by Iran.
Abdollah Abbasi, the cultural counsellor at the Iranian embassy, stated that Iran aims to support Uganda in strengthening its human capital and emphasized the value of an educated and skilled citizenry for a developing country. The Iranian Ambassador to Uganda, Majid Saffar, highlighted Iran’s resilience in the face of economic sanctions and encouraged the students to explore the culture of Iran while using their time productively.
The undergraduate degrees the Ugandan students will pursue include Business Management, Information Technology, Architectural Engineering, and Law. Graduate programs cover various fields such as Business Management, Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Islamic Economics, Women’s Studies, International Relations, and more. Parents expressed gratitude for the scholarships, advising their children to seize the opportunities for knowledge and personal growth.
The Iranian Ambassador provided advice to the departing students, urging them to maintain communication with their families and emphasizing that they are going to study, not work. Esther Nankinga, the coordinator of the students, advised them to prepare for cold weather in Tehran, where snowfall is expected.
The students received words of advice from various speakers, including the reminder that education should be coupled with enterprise for impactful outcomes. Students expressed their excitement and gratitude for the scholarship opportunities, with one noting the financial relief and reduced accommodation costs.
