A new wave of educational cooperation between China and South Sudan was marked on Thursday, when 48 South Sudanese students were officially awarded Chinese Embassy Scholarship certificates in Juba. The ceremony, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, celebrated young scholars preparing to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies at leading universities across China.
China’s Ambassador to South Sudan, Guo Haiyan, praised the scholarship recipients, noting that the awards reflect Beijing’s long-standing commitment to supporting human-capital development in partner countries. She emphasised that education is a key pillar of China-South Sudan cooperation and a cornerstone for nurturing future leaders equipped to contribute to national development. Several students echoed this sentiment, speaking of how the scholarship transforms dreams into real opportunities to acquire world-class training.
South Sudan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Manawa Peter Gatkuoth thanked China for the continued scholarship support, highlighting how this investment in students’ futures aligns closely with Juba’s development priorities. He stressed that the scholarships enhance bilateral ties, facilitate cross-cultural understanding, and create long-lasting friendships between the two peoples.
The ambassador scholarship initiative builds on a broader foundation of cooperation in education, infrastructure, and public services between China and South Sudan. In recent years, Confucius Institutes and language programmes have expanded Mandarin instruction in several African universities – including in East Africa, helping students gain linguistic skills critical for deeper academic and professional linkages with China.
China has supported vocational training and capacity-building workshops for South Sudanese youth in areas such as technical skills, agriculture, and public administration, enhancing employability and local productivity.
On the infrastructure front, Chinese firms have been involved in projects that advance connectivity and public services in South Sudan, including construction and road rehabilitation.
The 48 new scholars join a growing alumni network of South Sudanese graduates trained in China – many of whom return home to serve in government, education, technology, and civil society. This alumni community is increasingly acting as a bridge for ongoing dialogue, innovative collaboration, and people-to-people exchange.
In a nation working to build institutional capacity and stabilise long-term development, investment in education is essential. The Chinese Embassy Scholarships not only support individual ambition but also contribute to South Sudan’s broader human-capital foundation – strengthening public services, enhancing policy expertise, and fostering innovation.
