Korovy Val, Moscow, June 27, 2026 — Sierra Leone has recorded another milestone in education, with 10 Sierra Leonean students graduating as medical doctors from the People’s Friendship University of Russia (RUDN). Two of the students, Dr. Alfred Osman Kamara and Dr. Hawanatu B. Marrah, graduated with distinctions (Red Diploma).
The ceremony, attended by a high-level diplomatic delegation, academic and scientific staff, marked the largest cohort of Sierra Leonean medical graduates from the institution to date.
Delivering the valedictory address on behalf of the graduating class of 2026, Dr. Alfred Osman Kamara, who emerged as the best student in the medical field this year with an honors degree, spoke before an audience that included Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Russia, Mohamed Yongawo, members of the diplomatic corps, university leadership, faculty, and proud parents. Dr. Kamara is also the former President of the National Union of Sierra Leone Students in Russia, a role in which he championed student welfare and strengthened academic ties between Sierra Leone and the Russian Federation.
A Home of Limitless Opportunity- Dr. Kamara expressed profound gratitude to President Julius Maada Bio for prioritizing human capital development through education, and to the Ministry of Higher and Technical Education under Dr. Ramatulai Wurrie, for its continued support to Sierra Leonean students abroad. He also thanked the Russian Government and President Vladimir Putin for extending scholarships to international students.
“His commitment to global education has opened doors for countless young minds and turned distant dreams into reality,” Kamara said.
He paid special tribute to Ambassador Yongawo, noting that the graduating cohort was the result of a special diplomatic engagement in 2021 that secured a quota for Sierra Leonean students to study general medicine at RUDN.
Addressing Rector Oleg Alexandrovich and Director Alexey Yuryevich, Kamara praised their visionary leadership in transforming RUDN into “a home of limitless opportunity, academic rigor, innovation, and above all, true international friendship.”
He emphasized that the strong bilateral ties between Sierra Leone and Russia had made this educational journey possible.
Recognition of Academic Mentors- Kamara offered personal thanks to Professors Viktor Evseevich Radzinsky, Irina Alekseevna Zhirova, and Martynov Alexey Yuryevich for guiding his medical career, and to Elena Valeryevna Kaverina for inspiring his passion for research.
“Studying at a medical school is by no means an easy process, but thanks to you, all apparent difficulties and obstacles have always turned into easily surmountable goals and subsequent achievements,” he reflected.
Wider Achievements Across Russian Universities- Beyond RUDN, this year’s milestone extends across Russia, with 25 Sierra Leonean students graduating in various disciplines, ranging from first degrees to Master’s and PhDs. This broader achievement underscores Sierra Leone’s growing investment in education and international partnerships, and highlights the diverse academic contributions of Sierra Leonean students in Russian universities.
Call to Future Doctors- In his closing remarks, Dr. Kamara reminded his colleagues of the responsibility that comes with their new title: “We have come a long, thorny path, of which each of you can rightfully be proud. We are now officially Medical Doctors, and this title carries with it enormous responsibility.”
The ceremony marked a historic milestone, with the graduating class representing the largest number of Sierra Leonean medical graduates from RUDN University to date, a testament to the country’s commitment to human capital development and to strengthening bilateral ties with Russia.
The graduation ceremony culminated in the presentation of certificates to the graduating students by His Excellency Ambassador Mohamed Yongawo, prepared by the Students’ Union leadership.
For More Inquiries:
Festus J. Lahai
Information Attaché
Embassy of the Republic of Sierra Leone
Moscow, Russian Federation
Email:
information.attache@ru.slembassy.gov.sl
Website: www.slembassyrussia.
