According to the Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, His Excellency Hu Zhangliang, the Chinese Embassy has been organizing China Night to congratulate and bid farewell to Sierra Leone students granted Chinese government scholarships. According to him, this year they awarded 116 students from Sierra Leone scholarships to study different courses ranging from Bachelor to Masters programmes.
Ambassador Zhangliang said China and Sierra Leone are sister countries enjoying long-standing cordial relations and bilateral and other cooperation, for many years now which has benefitted more than 800 Sierra Leonean students to study in China.
He added that Chinese President His Excellency XI Jinping attaches great importance to the development of the China-Sierra Leone relationship, adding that when President Julius Maada Bio visited Beijing last year, they reached an important consensus on deepening bilateral cooperation in various fields between the two countries.
He went on to state that the universities which the 116 scholarship recipients will be admitted are prestigious ones that Chinese students dream to enter, as they have favorable learning environment, outstanding peer recruits and excellent facilities. He ended by wishing them a smooth journey and an unforgettable stay in the People’s Republic of China.
Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education Prof Aiah Kpakima informed the students that this was a golden opportunity for them and that they should take advantage of the situation as it is in line with President Bio’s vision. He went on to say that when they arrive in China they should put up the best of behavior, stay out of trouble particularly not involving in drug misuse because if they get caught the person will be rusticated and deported back to Sierra Leone, adding that the deportee will be received at the airport but will be sent straight to the correctional facility.
He implored them to see themselves as ambassadors of the country, their families and themselves in China. “There is no room for failure, we expect you to burn the candle 24 hours, 7 days a week,” Minister Kpakima said, adding that government is committed to supporting the students in the form of stipend and capacity-building activities, noting that if you go through Chinese scholarship everyone is bound to get a stipend. He thanked the government and people of China for their continued support, adding that the relationship keeps getting stronger spanning from the 70’s.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Solomon Jamiru said China and Sierra Leone stand side by side. He applauded the efforts of the Chinese government, saying they are here to celebrate a bond; decades of deeper ties with China standing with Sierra Leone through thick and thin. He admonished the students to accept the challenge and do well. “Make us proud and make a difference,” he said adding that divine providence has chosen them to such elevation.
Representing the students in her vote of thanks, Theresa Alpha noted that this is a journey they will never forget and expressed thanks to the Chinese team, the government of Sierra Leone and the People’s Republic of China and others who made it happen. She said China’s diverse cultural norms and atmosphere will continue to grow stronger. Theresa promised on behalf of the whole team that they will obey all laws that guide the country and set a landmark.
This batch of 116 Sierra Leonean students awarded Chinese government scholarships are scheduled to leave for China this September, and they will be majoring in subjects like Medicine, Economics, Agriculture, Computer Sciences, and Engineering at different universities in China.
