Twenty students from Egerton University are the latest beneficiaries of Chinese government scholarships as Beijing continues to solidify relations with Kenya. The sponsorship under the Chinese Ambassador’s Scholarship Program will enable the students to pursue higher education.
Launched in 2013, this scholarship program is designed exclusively for undergraduate students in the Government Sponsored (Module 1) category.
Students are selected based on a verification assessment of their family backgrounds to ensure that genuine cases of need are prioritized.
During a ceremony at Egerton University’s Njoro Campus, Zhang Zhizhong, the deputy head of mission at the Chinese Embassy in Kenya, urged the scholarship recipients to strive for societal improvement and become agents of positive change.
“Despite the challenges you face while pursuing your education, stand out and be the ones who transform not only Kenya but also Africa at large,” Zhang noted.
The diplomat, who is also a Minister Counsellor, expressed optimism that the students who benefited from the scholarships will play a crucial role in strengthening China-Kenya relations.
For over 12 years, Egerton University has maintained a cordial relationship with the Chinese government, resulting in the establishment of the Confucius Institute in 2012, where Chinese language and culture are taught. The institute also offers students valuable networking opportunities, job placements, and internships, particularly with Chinese businesses in Kenya.
Accompanied by Egerton University’s acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Administration, Finance and Planning, Professor Richard Mulwa, the Director of the Confucius Institute (CI), Professor Joshua Ogweno, and the Director of Marketing and Resource Mobilisation, Professor Nzula Kitaka, Mr. Zhang noted that many Kenyan graduates from Chinese universities have excelled in their careers and have become essential to Kenya’s development.
Zhang expressed his satisfaction that China has become one of the most favored destinations for Kenyan students, anticipating even brighter relations between China and Kenya in the future.
To qualify for the Chinese Ambassador’s Scholarship Program, applicants must be registered, regular needy students (from first to sixth year), possess excellent academic records, and demonstrate impeccable character. In August of this year, 30 Chinese Ambassador Scholarships for the 2023/2024 academic year were awarded to Kenyan undergraduate students studying at the University of Nairobi.
Mr. Zhang remarked that China’s policy on Africa is focused on collaborating with the continent to pursue shared interests. Besides education, he stated that China will continue to support key sectors such as agriculture to help Kenya enhance its food security. He emphasized that agricultural courses could lead to food stability, noting that China takes agriculture seriously and employs technology to produce food for both local consumption and commercial use.
“The People’s Republic of China has worked diligently to grow its economy to an 18 percent cumulative average of the global Gross Domestic Product,” he remarked.
He also noted an increasing interest in learning the Chinese language among local students and the general public. He indicated that the Chinese government would continue to promote Chinese language education and research initiatives at local universities to strengthen the bilateral relationship between Beijing and Nairobi.
Professor Richard Mulwa, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Administration, Finance, and Planning at Egerton University, mentioned that through the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in China, a KSh 100 million road and the Belt Molecular Laboratory have been established at the university’s Faculty of Agriculture.
“This laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art technology that is not available in any other institution in the country. Currently, the lab is being extensively utilized for advanced crop and livestock research by staff and students, as well as for collaborations with partners like the Kenya Agricultural Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) and other universities,” stated the Acting Vice Chancellor.
The Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation aims to create a network of railways, roads, pipelines, and utility grids that will connect China to the rest of the world. It has also invested billions of dollars in international transportation infrastructure across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa.
This initiative, with a particular focus on Africa, addresses trade, finance, investment, agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure connectivity, ecological and environmental protection, as well as tourism, cultural, social, and educational exchanges, added Professor Mulwa.
The Acting Deputy Chancellor remarked that the scholarship award exemplifies the strong ties between the university and the Chinese government.
According to Professor Mulwa, the Belt and Road Molecular Laboratory has also become a vital platform for scientific and technological cooperation between China and Africa, as well as an incubator for nurturing young Kenyan talent.
He commended the Chinese government for its significant contributions to vocational education in Kenya by providing equipment, and funding, and collaborating with institutions and universities to train mechanical engineers, electricians, and automation professionals each year.
