About 192 Liberian students are set to leave the country on the Chinese government’s scholarships program with an opportunity to study at various universities in China.
This followed the lifting of suspension on student visa restriction this year which was imposed in 2020 due to the outbreak of covid19 pandemic which forced the Chinese government to act.
Chinese Ambassador to Liberia Ren Yisheng made this disclosure during a pre-departure ceremony held for the scholarships’ recipients last Friday, 2 September in Monrovia.
He said the beneficiaries who been patient until now were recruited through a competitive vetting process in 2020 but could not honors the programs because of the visa suspension.
Yisheng said the study in China ranges from undergraduate to terminal degree programs in various fields some of which over 200 Liberians have benefited already from both short and long term training programs as well.
Yisheng stated that though Chinese are hospitable people, beneficiaries of its scholarships have been urged to take advantage of the offer to study well and when completed, return home to rebuild their country.
In a concise remark on behalf of the Liberian government, Education Minister Dao Ansu Sonii lauded the Chinese government for its contribution in reconstruction or recovery programs of Liberia after years of conflict.
He urged the students to do their best to study to make their country proud as China continued to help in academic or technical and vocational education programs which cannot be overemphasized.
Meanwhile, China has announced that it would construct the corridor connecting the Edward Beyan Kesselly Boulevard in Gardnerville Township with 12th Street in the district of Sinkor as a feasibility study gets underway.
It said its team of road construction engineers are expected to arrive in Liberia any moment this year but without specific of date being mentioned for the commencement of the project.
Yisheng said Liberia and China cooperation has achieved a lot over the years including food security, health, and agriculture.
Others are technical assistance which are ongoing at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex and the Liberia Broadcasting System in Paynesville among others.
Yisheng also named the two overhead or path bridges to be constructed at both the Samuel Kanyon Doe Boulevard in Paynesville, and that of the Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town which construction begins next year.
Gardnerville and Sinkor District being connected by road is overdue by previous Liberian administrations. However, when completed the road is constructed it would ease the traffic congestion to and fro Monrovia where nearly is the point for all activities in the country.
Besides that it will not only benefit residents of Gardnerville but also those residing in Johnsonville, Dixville and Caldwell Townships as well as the Kebah Community as well.
