The Chinese government has awarded scholarships to 42 Somali students as part of the ongoing investment China is making in African education.
The students are expected to travel to China soon, to begin their studies at various Universities.
A farewell ceremony was conducted for the students in the capital, Mogadishu.
Most of the students are high school graduates who were hoping to further their studies to obtain bachelor degrees.
Masters and PhD scholarships have also been awarded to deserving candidates.
High-profile dignitaries, including Somalia’s education minister and China’s ambassador to Somalia, attended the send-off.
The Somali education minister, Abdirahman Dahir Osman, hailed China’s strong relationship with his country despite the various challenges.
“China has a historic relationship with Somalia. Our relationship goes back to thousands of years, and it was constant and regular with in the different situations,” he said.
Somalia has been dogged by conflict for more than a decade, greatly affecting education.
This chance will empower the students with academic and technical skills, which they hope will be of use in ongoing rebuilding of their nation.
