China provides more than 1,450 scholarships to Ethiopians so far this year
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (Xinhua) — The Chinese Government has provided more than 1,450 scholarship opportunities to Ethiopians in various academic and training areas during the first eight months of 2018, the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia revealed.
Some 1,232 short-term training courses were provided to Ethiopians in China while 220 other Ethiopian candidates from federal and regional government, academic institutions and industries have been admitted by major Chinese higher education institutions to study masters and PhD programmes, the embassy said yesterday.
Figures from the Ministry of Commerce of China also indicated that by the end of 2017, more than 5,650 Ethiopians had received training in different professions in China under a China-aid framework covering over 20 fields that include education, health and medical services, agriculture, tourism, manufacturing industries, public administration, business management, urban development and poverty reduction.
Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia Tan Jian said late on Friday that China’s support in the human development sector mainly aims to improve management skills and practical techniques for government officials, academic experts, senior managerial personnel and specialised technicians.
“Investing in people through education is the best investment,” Tan said.
Tan, who vowed to deepen the two countries’ ties in human resources development, further said that “We developing countries have human resources potential in abundance and the thing is how to exploit this bonanza.”
The East African country has also frequently commended China’s support to Ethiopia’s human development efforts.
The latest appreciation was given by Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed during a scholarship awarding ceremony late on Friday.
“As we all know, China is a very good partner for Ethiopia and they are supporting us in human capital development, which is a priority for my government,” Ahmed said.
“I would like to thank you (Chinese Government) for all what you have done for our country,” he added.
