Abdul Conteh’s Diamond-cut Journey

We met Abdul at the International Corner on a sunny Friday afternoon, though our interview was set for the following Tuesday. He insisted on meeting that day, explaining with a smile, “I like to be prepared, my brother.” As we sat down, Abdul, clad in a checkered shirt and carrying a well-worn journal, was eager to talk. What was meant to be a quick chat about the upcoming interview turned into a deep conversation about his dreams and aspirations.

“My country is small, but it’s beautiful,” he said, his voice filled with pride. “When I get back, I want to build my country to be better.”

Abdul’s journal was his companion, a reflection of his disciplined approach to life. “I keep a list of my schedule for the week so I can plan ahead,” he shared. 

Having arrived in Indonesia two years ago, Abdul is determined to make the most of his time at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS). “I have three years here to study, but if I can do it in two? I’ll do it in two. I can’t wait to introduce iced tea to my friends and family back home. We don’t drink iced tea there.” he said with a laugh.

When we met again two days later for the “real” interview, Abdul looked sharp in a navy suit, brown pants, and matching shoes. “You said you’d take a photo of me, right?” he asked, flashing a confident smile.

Abdul Conteh hails from Koidu, a town in Sierra Leone’s Kono district. “Kono is one of the major sites where people mine diamonds,” he explained, his tone somber. The district’s wealth in minerals often overshadows the importance of education. 

The region’s wealth in minerals, however, did not translate into educational prosperity for its inhabitants. “It’s very difficult for young people to acquire knowledge because everyone is focusing on mining the diamonds,” Abdul recalls. 

Sierra Leone is known for its vast diamonds, gold, and bauxite reserves, but these resources have often been a double-edged sword. The movie Blood Diamond (2006) chronicles how mining industries shaped the past and future of Sierra Leone. When we asked Abdul about the movie, his response was emphatic. “It was a very interesting movie. It’s set during the civil war in my country. In fact, my father had to take us to Freetown, the capital city, during that time.

Freetown, founded by formerly enslaved people in 1792, symbolizes liberty and self-determination. The move to the capital provided safety and opened doors to education. There, Abdul pursued his studies and graduated with a Bachelor of Science with Honors in Accounting from the esteemed Njala University.

Sierra Leone once held the distinction of being the “Athens of West Africa,” the nation pioneered the region’s first modern universities, a fact that Abdul mentions several times during our interview.

“It’s something I’m proud of,” he said with a smile. “In its roots, Sierra Leone’s educational background is vast.”

Abdul honors that legacy with his decision to continue his studies abroad. Not content with a bachelor’s degree, he sought new knowledge in a foreign land and found his way to UMS. “It’s about the desire to explore and gain new experiences as a young person. You need to explore the world,” he said, his eyes bright with enthusiasm. 

“I’m currently a master’s student in accounting, and I’m happy that my dream is coming true, thanks to Allah.”

Studying abroad is often a dream that many cannot afford, but Abdul was fortunate to secure the International Priority Scholarship (IPS) from UMS. “Studying abroad, especially for a master’s degree, is very expensive,” Abdul explained.

“The IPS scholarship is a great help. Without it, I would have had to spend thousands of dollars. The scholarship allows me to focus on my studies and minimize financial stress.”

Abdul’s choice of accounting as his major is rooted in his desire to contribute to his country’s economic development. “I want to help build my country’s economy. I have no regrets about my choice. I believe accounting will benefit me, my family, and my country," he said firmly.

At UMS, Abdul has found particular value in courses like Research, Accounting Information Technology, and Accounting Information Management. “Back in Sierra Leone, I knew nothing about research and publication,” he admitted. “Now it has become my new hobby. I dedicate several hours each day to my projects.”

Abdul’s research projects are a source of pride for him. His first major project focuses on accounting theory and its potential application in Sierra Leone. The second explores the relationship between student income and expenditure at universities. His third project, which formed the basis of his thesis, examines the role of internal audits in fraud prevention and their impact on public sector financial performance in Sierra Leone. 

“I’m very proud of my research titled ‘The Role of Internal Audit, Fraud Prevention, and Detection, on Public Sector Financial Performance (Empirical Study at District Councils, Sierra Leone),’” he said, clearly passionate about the work.

Abdul’s academic journey has also seen him actively participate in various international conferences, showcasing his research to a global audience. He first presented his work at the 4th International Conference of Technology, Education, and Social Sciences (ICTESS) in Indonesia on 4th October 2022. Following that, he was part of the World Class Professor Programme 2022 at Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia, on 18th November 2022. Later that month, he attended the World Academy for Research and Development Seminar on 26th November 2022.

In the following year, Abdul participated in the International Conference on Economics and Business Issues in Antananarivo, Madagascar, on 11th January 2023. Later, he participated in the 4th International Conference on Islamic and Epistemology (ICIE) in Indonesia on 7-8th August 2023.

Most recently, in June 2024, Abdul participated in the International Conference on Multidisciplinary Research 3.0 in India with the topic of relationship between student’s income and expenditure in tertiary institutions.

Abdul credits much of his success to his thesis supervisor, Mr. Andy Dwi Bayu Bawono, S.E., M.Si., Ph.D. “Maybe Mr. Andy saw something in me,” Abdul reflected. “He’s very responsive to my problems. I once asked to meet him the next day, but he insisted on meeting that same day!” 

Unlike many international students who choose to live in Pesma, UMS dormitory, Abdul prefers living in a private dorm. However, this choice hasn’t hindered his ability to build strong relationships. He has formed meaningful friendships with both Indonesian and international students. 

“My neighbors and I have a great relationship. There’s even a restaurant right in front of my place, and the owners are good friends of mine. I even have neighbors who are photographers, they’ve promised to take free videos and photos for me when I graduate!”

The son of traders and the eldest of five siblings, Abdul carries the weight of expectations on his shoulders. In Sierra Leone, the role of the firstborn child is significant, often setting the tone for younger siblings. “There’s an unspoken expectation,” he reflects, his voice steady. “We lead by example, hoping our sister and brother will follow.”

But for Abdul, these expectations aren’t a burden but a source of motivation. He doesn’t view his role as the firstborn with pressure but with a sense of purpose. For him, it’s an opportunity to pave the way for his siblings, to demonstrate that if he can succeed, they can, too.

That purpose drove Abdul to set his sights on contributing to his country’s economic development. He aspires to work in auditing with the goal of becoming a decision-maker. “People like us face many challenges,” he explained. “We understand the problems and how to tackle them because we’ve come from humble beginnings and struggled to get where we are.”

Looking back, Abdul is grateful to UMS for providing him with the opportunity to pursue his dream. “With Allah’s help, I will achieve my dreams,” he said, a note of confidence in his voice. “I’m always proud of UMS. The journey I’ve been on is wonderful, I'm very different from where I started, and when I leave, I’ll be leaving with a wealth of knowledge.”

For those fortunate enough to study abroad, Abdul stressed the need to stay true to the primary goals. He encouraged them to remain focused on their purpose, reminding them that they traveled to study and pursue their dreams. By prioritizing their education, Abdul believes they can fully capitalize on both the scholarship and the opportunities that come with it.

Writer: Farizal Luqman Majid

Editor: Al Habib Josy Asheva