The Sierra Leonean student community in South Korea have marked a historic milestone with the official launch of the Sierra Leone Student Union (SLSUK). The event, held at the Sierra Leone Embassy in Seoul, brought together students, dignitaries, and embassy officials to celebrate unity, ambition, and a shared vision for progress. 

 The ceremony was chaired by Madam Isatu  Aisha Sema Sillah, Minister Plenipotentiary and Head of Chancery, who set the tone with an inspiring opening address. She emphasized the importance of leadership and collective effort in driving the newly formed union toward success. The initiative aligns with the Sierra Leonean Embassy’s mission to foster community ties and support its citizens abroad.

 Delivering the keynote address, His Excellency Ambassador Paul Soba Massaquoi underscored the importance of unity and a developmental mindset among Sierra Leonean students He reaffirmed the Embassy’s commitment to empowering students to achieve their goals, describing them as central to the Embassy’s work.

“To our students in the audience today, I want you to go and tell others that I have committed that you, the students in Korea, will remain indisputably at the center of my work,” Ambassador Massaquoi declared. He highlighted the need for engagement and the closure of achievement gaps, pledging to lead with vision, integrity, and courage. The Ambassador expressed his pride in the union’s formation, calling it a “jewel” symbolizing Sierra Leone’s hope and promise.

Student President Isata Yerroh Bah delivered a heartfelt speech, thanking the Embassy for its steadfast support. She outlined the union’s vision to foster a strong support network, secure scholarships and internships, and address the academic and social needs of Sierra Leonean students in South Korea. “This union is a unifying body dedicated to advancing the interests and aspirations of all Sierra Leonean students,” she affirmed.

Bah also highlighted key objectives for the union, including:

Strengthening student engagement and support.

Collaborating with the Embassy to bridge service gaps.

Hosting cultural exchange and community-building events.

Secretary-General David Alusine Ceesay called for active participation, emphasizing the importance of shared responsibility in achieving the union’s goals.

The event concluded with a renewed sense of purpose and solidarity among attendees. The Sierra Leone Student Union now embarks on its mission to serve as a beacon of support, growth, and opportunity for Sierra Leonean students in South Korea.