Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Liu Xianfa (2nd R) presents certificate of scholarship to a student of the Nairobi University in Nairobi, Kenya, Nov. 14, 2016. (Xinhua/Sun Ruibo)
NAIROBI, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- Over the past three years, nearly 60 Kenyan students with needy backgrounds have received scholarships offered by the Chinese ambassador to pursue their academic dreams.
"The 58 students who have benefited from the scholarship program have not disappointed and continue to excel in academic studies," said Henry Mutoro, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Academic Affairs at University of Nairobi Henry Mutoro.
Speaking at a most recent awarding of scholarships to 20 Kenyan students at the Chinese Embassy here in Nairobi, Mutoro said the scholarships have been helping transform the lives of needy students through acquisition of lifelong skills.
The Chinese Embassy in Kenya on Monday provided 20 scholarships worth 20,000 U.S. dollars for needy university students to enable them to pursue a range of humanities and science courses.
Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Liu Xianfa said the scholarships for underprivileged but bright students are at the heart of the blossoming China-Kenya cooperation in education and skills transfer.
"Science, education and humanities exchanges have become one of the pillars of China-Kenya bilateral relations," said Liu, adding that Kenya has become a training hub for Chinese language and culture.
The scholarship program was initiated by the Chinese embassy and the University of Nairobi to cover tuition fees for students from poor families pursuing courses like engineering, medicine, economics and finance.
Liu said beneficiaries of the scholarship program have been instrumental in driving Kenya's socio-economic transformation agenda.
He added that China-Kenya collaboration in science, technology and innovations has unleashed huge benefits in critical sectors like agriculture, health, energy and telecommunications.
The ambassador reaffirmed China's commitment to nurturing of youth talent in Kenya to speed up economic growth and social renewal.
Besides the Chinese ambassadorial scholarship program, the Chinese government has been offering Kenyan student with scholarships to study in China.
In August, a ceremony was held at the Chinese Embassy in Nairobi to bid farewell to 120 Kenyan students who have received scholarships to study in China.
File photo shows Kenyan students who have received scholarships to study in China pose for a group photo during a ceremony at the Chinese Embassy in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, Aug. 25, 2016. (Xinhua/Li Baishun)
