Kenyan university praises China for student scholarships

Kenyatta University in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi has praised the Chinese government for the provision of scholarships and academic partnerships that are widening access to higher education.

John Okumu, the university's vice-chancellor, said China has played a critical role in supporting vulnerable learners and strengthening Kenya-China educational ties.

During a Chinese language proficiency contest for high school students in Nairobi, Okumu was quoted as saying that at least 25 students from the university benefit from Chinese-sponsored scholarships annually, easing financial barriers and enabling them to pursue studies in Chinese language and culture.

"This initiative has significantly widened access to higher education while nurturing globally competitive graduates," Okumu was quoted as saying in a speech read by David Minja, the executive dean of the school of law, arts and social sciences.

According to the speech, 20 students from Kenyatta University secured scholarships to study at Shandong Normal University in 2025, with more than 300 students benefitting from similar opportunities over the years.

Beyond student scholarships, the collaboration extends to academic exchange programs for faculty, curriculum development and the expansion of Chinese language training through the Confucius Institute at Kenyatta University.

Ibrahim Mathew was the winner of the langauge contest, which featured 16 students from a number of schools across Kenya. As part of the annual Chinese Bridge Competition students answered various questions and took part in talent shows.

Zhou Xiaodong, the director of the Confucius Institute, said that participation in the contest was up on last year: "This continues to serve as a platform for nurturing young talent while strengthening people-to-people connections between the two nations," Zhou said.