By Lincoln G. Peters
China and Liberia over the weekend held a pre-departure ceremony for 12 Liberian recipients of the 2022-2023 Chinese government scholarship.
The Chinese Government Scholarship is in an effort to strengthen and develop the human capacity of young Liberians.
The Chinese government scholarship is expected to be awarded to 190 students, but at the ceremony, there were 12 Liberian recipients.
The pre-departure ceremony was held in the conference room of the Chinese Embassy in Oldest Congo Town.
All of them are employees of the Government of Liberia working at various ministries.
The beneficiaries, in appreciation of the opportunity given to them, presented a certificate to the Chinese government through its Ambassador to Liberia.
The certificate was presented to the Minister of Education who then presented it to the Chinese Ambassador.
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The ceremony was aimed at motivating the students to be law-abiding and to remain focused on their studies.
The program brought together the Minister of Education, the President of the University of Liberia, and other key individuals who joined the ceremony via zoom.
Remarking at the ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Liberia Ren Yisheng said the people-to-people exchanges are an important means of deepening the understanding and friendship between Liberia and China.
He wished all the new students a safe journey to China, success in their studies, and an important role to play in the national development of Liberia in the future.
“I’m pleased to inform [you] that for the 2020-2023 period, the Chinese government will provide altogether 190 full scholarships to Liberian elites, many of whom are leaving for China soon,’’ he noted.
The Chinese Ambassador disclosed that his Embassy also provides the Ambassador’s scholarships to more than 100 students of excellence from the University of Liberia, Tubman University and Cuttington University every year, which has helped the fostering of Liberians’ talents.
Also remarking, Education Minister Prof. D. Ansu Sonii, and Yaba Thompson, Assistant Minister for International Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed thanks and appreciation to the Chinese government for granting those young Liberians the opportunity to further their study.
“We like to appreciate the Chinese government again for this great opportunity provided to our country,” they said.
In conclusion, Dr. Julius J. Sarwolo Nelson, Jr., President of the University of Liberia, thanked the Chines government for the initiative he described as ‘long time’ relationship between the both countries.
“This has made tremendous contribution to the educational sector of Liberia. One of the Chinese contributions to the educational sector of Liberia is what we are seeing here today, the awarding of scholarships to Liberian and higher learning institutions,” Dr. Nelson said.–Edited by Winston W. Parley
