GABORONE, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- A total of 52 Botswana students have been admitted to Chinese universities under scholarships this year.
China will continue to provide assistance as "China and Botswana have identified education and capacity building as an important area of cooperation," said Zhao Yanbo, Chinese ambassador to Botswana, at a farewell reception for 2019 Chinese government scholarship beneficiaries Wednesday held at the Chinese embassy in Gaborone, capital of Botswana.
The nominees were selected from over 2,000 applicants who were keen on the Chinese government scholarships program for Botswana students.
Zhao also noted that over the years, more than 600 China government-sponsored students have completed their studies in China and have since returned to Botswana to serve their home country.
Most of the 200 Botswana students studying in China are self-sponsored, Zhao said, adding that China has become one of the favorite destinations for young Batswana to study overseas.
Zhao emphasized that China and Botswana's long-standing cooperative relations have a long record of vigorous cooperation in various areas since the establishment of diplomatic ties 44 years ago.
In her remarks, Tebogo Bagopi, deputy permanent secretary at the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology, encouraged beneficiaries to learn the norms and culture of the Chinese people, and to abide by the laws of the country.
She also encouraged them to maximize opportunities in this foreign land and be ready to develop their homeland after completing their studies.
A single purchase
