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Sierra Leone has bid farewell to 130 students awarded Chinese Government Scholarships to pursue further studies and professional development in China, as officials highlighted the growing importance of education in strengthening relations between the two countries.
The farewell ceremony was held on Friday, August 21, 2026, at the Bintumani Conference Center in Aberdeen, Freetown, bringing together government officials, representatives of the Chinese Embassy, education authorities, parents, guardians and the scholarship beneficiaries.
Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone Zhao Yong said education has played a critical role in China’s modernization and has become an important pillar of cooperation between China and Sierra Leone.
He noted that the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries reflects decades of cooperation, with hundreds of Sierra Leonean students benefiting from scholarships and thousands of officials, researchers and other professionals participating in training programmes in China.
Zhao encouraged the scholarship recipients to approach their studies with discipline, embrace Chinese culture and represent Sierra Leone positively during their stay.
He also urged them to serve as bridges between the two countries by promoting friendship, mutual understanding and greater awareness of the two societies.
Minister of Technical and Higher Education Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie described the departure of the students as more than an academic opportunity, saying it represents part of a longstanding educational partnership between Sierra Leone and China.
She noted that China began providing scholarships to Sierra Leonean students in 1976, with generations of Sierra Leoneans benefiting from university education, professional training, research opportunities and academic exchanges.
According to Wurie, the partnership has expanded beyond scholarships to include institutional cooperation, technical and vocational education, professional development and knowledge transfer.
She linked the cooperation to President Julius Maada Bio’s Human Capital Development agenda, stressing that Sierra Leone’s long-term development depends on a skilled workforce equipped with technical knowledge, creativity and the ability to adapt to changes in the global economy.
Wurie urged the beneficiaries to view their scholarships as an investment in Sierra Leone’s future and challenged them to return with knowledge and practical skills that can help address national challenges.
She encouraged the students to learn from China’s advances in science, technology, engineering, agriculture, digital transformation, manufacturing and innovation, while considering how such experiences could be adapted to Sierra Leone.
The minister also urged them to respect Chinese laws and culture, conduct themselves responsibly and serve as positive representatives of Sierra Leone.
She further highlighted emerging institutional cooperation between the two countries, including collaboration in technical and vocational education and the approved establishment of an Education Exchange Centre at Fourah Bay College.
According to Wurie, the centre is expected to provide a platform for educational and cultural exchanges, research collaboration and stronger links between universities and other institutions in Sierra Leone and China.
Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Alan Logan, expressed appreciation to the Chinese government for its continued support to Sierra Leone’s human capital development.
Logan described the relationship between the two countries as one founded on mutual respect, friendship, solidarity and shared development, noting that cooperation has expanded across areas including infrastructure, health, agriculture, education and human resource development.
He urged the scholarship recipients to take the opportunity seriously, remain focused on their studies and respect the culture and traditions of China.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Nendayula Thoronka expressed gratitude to the Chinese government, the Chinese Embassy and the Government of Sierra Leone for making the scholarships possible.
Thoronka said the scholarships represent an investment in young people, knowledge, leadership and innovation, adding that the beneficiaries understand the responsibilities that come with the opportunity.
She pledged that the students would study diligently, obey Chinese laws, respect the country’s culture and learn from China’s experiences in areas such as education, technology, infrastructure, agriculture, entrepreneurship, sustainability and economic development.
She described the beneficiaries as potential ambassadors of friendship and cooperation between Sierra Leone and China, saying they would seek to use the knowledge and skills gained abroad to contribute to national development upon their return.
The ceremony marked the beginning of a new academic chapter for the 130 beneficiaries, with government officials expressing hope that their education and professional experience in China will contribute to Sierra Leone’s development and further strengthen the longstanding relationship between the two countries.
