China urged to increase scholarships quota

Since the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Education in China and the Education Department of PNG in 2003, about 400 students have gone through the Chinese scholarships in the space of 14 years.

However, Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Pila Niningi, is appealing to the Chinese government to increase the number of scholarships it currently offers to PNG students.

Minster Niningi made this call during a farewell reception at the Chinese embassy last week where he said education is one of the important areas of exchanges and cooperation between PNG and China.

He thanked the Chinese government for providing an opportunity for young Papua New Guineans to advance their studies in different fields and added while this is encouraging, he strongly believes that through collaboration, more opportunities can be explored to increase the number of students.

Minister Niningi, in congratulating the scholarship recipients, reminded them that this opportunity comes with great responsibility and that they should ensure that they conduct themselves in a way that reflects positively on PNG.

He urged them to return with experiences and knowledge from China that will help to build PNG and in doing so, establish a stronger tie between both nations.

(Minster Pila Niningi filepic)

 

Author: 
Carolyn Ure