Welcome boost for Liberia's brainpower

China provides scholarships and training to give Africa some much-needed educational assistance

More Liberians have been departing from the country recently for China, where they will pursue studies in various disciplines at graduate and other professional training levels. The opportunity to acquire higher and quality education is provided by the People's Republic of China to the government and people of Liberia.

It is also part of an effort to correct Liberia's human capacity woes. More than 10 people from the Armed Forces of Liberia are expected to undergo a yearlong military training course, while others will pursue degrees in engineering and agriculture.

More than 400 government scholarships for undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees and training for over 3,000 Liberians in various sectors have been provided by China.

This year, China has provided 27 government scholarships, 16 one-year master's scholarships and about 200 training opportunities for Liberian students, professionals and military officials.

Clifton Garpeh, of the Liberia Association of Chinese Trained Scholars, urges the scholarship beneficiaries to respect the culture and traditions of China. He cautions beneficiaries to be steadfast and avoid activities that could undermine their studies.

Civil Servant Association President Moibah Johnson recalls numerous developmental aid projects provided by China, such as the Jackson Fiah Doe Memorial Regional Hospital, the Monrovia Vocational Training Center, UL Fendell Campus, SKD Sports and ongoing works at the capitol building annex and ministerial complex.

He says it is important for successive governments to continually adhere to supporting the one-China policy in the future, adding that a reversal is not an option because relations between the two countries are having such a positive impact on the lives of Liberians and Chinese.

Also, Liberia's Assistant Defense Minister for Public Affairs David Dahn says China has been a good friend and has supported the country's security by providing equipment and constructing the Camp Tubman Military Barracks, the largest military barracks to be constructed by China in sub-Saharan Africa.

Thomas Gbokie, speaking on behalf of the scholarship beneficiaries, praises the Chinese government for awarding the scholarships and training opportunities. He says human and institutional development is crucial for the country's postwar reconstruction effort.

He says that Liberians welcome the constructive engagement between the two countries, which has improved relations over the years.

Charge d'Affaires Ad Interim Li Zhuang says the secret of China's rapid development over the past three decades is the great importance it has attached to education, science and technology.

Li says the speedy growth rate can be attributed to the level of investment in education, which came as a result of reform adopted in 1978 with the aim of rejuvenating the Chinese nation through education and progress in science and technology.

He says China has made education one of the priorities in China-Liberia cooperation and has provided modern infrastructure, like the Fendell campus, laboratories at the University of Liberia, three primary schools in Montserrado and Bomi counties as well as the extension of the Monrovia Vocational Training Center.

However, he says that China also focuses on strengthening human resources and capacity building in Liberia through various scholarships and training programs.

For China Daily

(China Daily Africa Weekly 09/01/2017 page3)