The Chinese Embassy in Kenya has hailed the Kenya-China scholarship programme as an impactful relationship that aims at the modernization of the two countries.
Speaking during the Kenya China Alumni 2024 strategic meeting held in Nairobi, Zhang Zhizhong, minister counsellor of the Chinese embassy lauded the relationship shared between the two nations terming it historic.
“History is made by the people. The prosperity of China-Africa Cooperation is created and promoted by the people . Beyond the grand picture of the grand times, it is actually the millions of individuals both in China and the continent of Africa are creating the substantial achievements of historical progress,” stated Zhang.
Under the program that offers scholarships for undergraduate, master’s, and PhD programs in various fields such as Business Administration, Engineering, Environmental Science, Public Health, Computer Science, Medicine, and Agricultural Sciences over 2000 Kenyans have benefitted from the mutual relationship Kenya China enjoys.
“I firmly believe that alumni could play a unique and important role in this process, carrying forward the spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation,” Urged the China Embassy rep at the event.
In August 2024, at least 19 Kenyans left Kenya for China to further their studies at various universities in China the number rising to 65, the total number of Kenyans who have benefited from the scholarships this year alone.
Since 2013, hundreds of Kenyans have travelled to China to learn how to be train drivers, engineers, under the Belt and Road Initiative.
“The China-Africa relationship is now at its best in history. From a new type of partnership to a comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership,” Zhang.
Henry Rotich, the chairperson of the Kenya-China Alumni Association, urged the alumni of the programme to be agents of change, challenging those who will get an opportunity with the programmes to go the extra mile and make Kenya proud.
“Our alumnus are contributing towards culture and economic development across including leading initiatives that drive technology innovation” Highlighted Rotich
The Kenya – China scholarship program has been instrumental in providing educational opportunities to Kenyan students since its inception in 1983.
