12 Guyanese students receive scholarships to study in China

The Chinese Embassy on Friday awarded scholarships to 12 Guyanese students to pursue studies in the People’s Republic of China.
At the awards ceremony, Public Service Minister Sonia Parag noted that Guyana and China have sustained a long-standing relationship in many sectors, especially the education and public service sectors.
As the students commence studies abroad, the Minister underscored the importance of self-development.

“Development in yourself is perhaps the most valuable thing you can do for yourself. Creating your own independence is the most valuable thing. I stand here as a testimony to that…We may be able to have at least 30 persons who are going to complete their skill sets in China and that’s a good number of persons to come back.”
She charged the awardees to display continued dedication and seek to learn the language once they commence studies.
“I urge you to strike a balance. Make sure you strike a balance. Make sure you experience the food. Make sure you experience the culture but have your continued dedication.”
Some of the disciplines include International Trade and Economy, Applied Psychology, International Politics, and Medicine among others.
Director of Department of International Cooperation at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Forbes July expressed that this is the 50th anniversary since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Guyana and China.
“Over the years, Guyana and the People’s Republic of China have built a relationship that is centred on the principles of consistency and frequent interactions, which has resulted in a friendship that provides exchanges in the political, economic and cultural spheres,” the Director shared.
He underscored that with the developmental trajectory that Guyana is embarking on, there is a need for robust skills. These scholarships are underpinned by those years of mutual friendship, and he urged the awardees to deepen their horizons.
July relayed, “This opportunity comes at a critical juncture in the development of our country, at the time when the rapid pace at which Guyana is developing requires a plethora of skills in a wide range of disciplines.” The Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Guo Haiyan, announced that her Government is now arranging for international students, who were forced to study online due to the pandemic circumstances, to study in China.
“There is good news for you. I am glad to announce that the Chinese Government has begun to arrange for international students to study in China in an orderly manner. The colleges and universities are making preparations for this.”
Ambassador Haiyan concluded that the Embassy views this initiative as a priority area in their agenda.