The official ceremony for awarding Chinese scholarships to Congolese students was held this Thursday, August 24, at the University of Kinshasa, UNIKIN, in the presence of the Minister of Higher and University Education, Muhindo Nzangi Butondo, and the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China based in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The former Lovanium graduates are therefore the first beneficiaries of these scholarships, to the great delight of Minister Muhindo Nzangi Butondo; who in his speech informed that they “are proud to count among our privileged partners, the People’s Republic of China, which has always been involved in university cooperation. Increasingly, Congolese scientific executives trained in China are giving courses in the country, which also promotes the next generation of academics.”

He also expressed the DRC's thanks to China through its ambassador.

"During President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi's recent visit to China, particular attention was paid to higher education, particularly the importance of cultural exchanges between our two peoples, who share worldviews. I would like to express my thanks to the Middle Kingdom for its continued cooperation," he said. 

Several projects in the higher education sector have already been launched with the Chinese empire. These include the project to create laboratories and the multi-sector construction of the Confucius Cultural Center for Africa based in Kinshasa, which will house the facilities of the National Institute of Arts.

For the Rector of the University of Kinshasa, Professor Jean-Marie Kayembe, this ceremony comes at the right time and is the perfect expression of Sino-Congolese cooperation.

"In these scholarship packages, a special feature stands out: a special scholarship awarded to young women, demonstrating UNIKIN's commitment to ensuring the development of young women. Students should apply, as this partnership will certainly enable the inspired girl to improve her skills," said the UNIKIN rector.

Actualite.cd