The First Scholarship Holders Left for Malaysia on 29 June 2021
The first of our scholarship holders left for Malaysia this morning, 29 June 2021. Binta Fall, one of the recipients of the 2020 scholarship must no doubt feel immeasurable relief after the challenges wrought by the pandemic, and the disruption to her schooling environment.
It has been a long journey for Binta Fall and others like her. After successfully securing a scholarship from Malaysia, their plans to register at the university were derailed when Malaysia continued its lockdown and border restrictions. Even when international students were allowed to enter Malaysia beginning from 1 January 2021, various challenges remained and their sponsors determined that it would be better for them to stay in Senegal and continue their foundation course from home.
The difference in time zones between Malaysia and Senegal (Senegal is 8 hours behind Malaysia) meant that online classes commenced sometime around midnight in Senegal and ended just before daybreak. There was no help for it – since the students were from all over the globe, they had to compromise and follow the Malaysian time zone.
But the students’ perseverance eventually paid off, and are slowly getting the green light to leave for the university campuses. In Malaysia, the students will have to undergo 14 days of quarantine in a five-star hotel, thanks to the generosity of their sponsors.
Tonight, another scholarship holder, Abou Bakri Ba, will join Binta in taking to the skies to enroll at a private Malaysian university. Both were awarded a scholarship by the Albukhary International University, Malaysia and will be among the many scholarship holders from Senegal who have secured their places for the 2020 intake, and the 2021 intake.
We wish all our students well. Bon voyage, and study hard!
Embassy of Malaysia
Dakar, Senegal
30 June 2021
