New horizons: Opportunities for South African students in China
In the exclusive insights into the vast opportunities available for South African students to study in China, it was revealed that an array of scholarship programs and academic partnerships have already fostered fruitful exchange of knowledge and skills.
Image: Sibonelo Ngcobo
They say when one door closes, another one opens, and China is always at the forefront of opening doors and providing Africans opportunities to learn and grow in everything they put their minds to.
In a world increasingly characterised by division and discord, a recent speech by Jiang Yurong, a Chinese graduate from Harvard University, has resonated deeply within both the United States and China.
Jiang delivered her message of unity on Thursday, coinciding with significant political developments surrounding immigration policy and international education."We don't rise by proving each other wrong. We rise by refusing to let one another go," Jiang said.
Her speech went viral in China, with some saying it moved them while others were critical. Correlating this week, in an exclusive interview with the Consul General of China in Durban, Li Zhigong, one of the underlying themes in the conversation was about unlocking potential across borders and exploring how South African students can benefit from studying in China and the myriad of collaborative opportunities that await.
In the exclusive insights into the vast opportunities available for South African students to study in China from Li, it was revealed that an array of scholarship programs and academic partnerships have already fostered fruitful exchange of knowledge and skills.
According to Li, the Chinese government offers a comprehensive suite of scholarship programmes designed to entice South African students.
"These scholarships, available for both undergraduate and postgraduate studies, encompass a wide array of benefits including tuition coverage, provision of textbooks, multiple round-trip flights, and a monthly stipend," he said.
He highlighted that the disciplines in high demand span engineering, medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), agriculture, information and communication technology (ICT), international relations, and the study of Chinese language and culture — all areas that align closely with South Africa’s developmental needs.
"The Consulate warmly encourages prospective applicants, highlighting the importance of returnees as contributors to bilateral cooperation," he said.
He further highlighted that collaboration is key to enhancing the educational ties between South African institutions and Chinese universities.
"Opportunities for joint research initiatives, student and staff exchanges, as well as co-hosted academic programmes are flourishing. For instance, the Durban University of Technology (DUT) has established a partnership with Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University to promote skills development. Notably, the Confucius Institute at DUT has emerged as a prominent cultural and language platform, training thousands of students in Chinese language and culture. The partnership between the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and the Centers for Disease Control in Sichuan province, focusing on HIV/AIDS research and facilitating exchanges of Chinese medical students, exemplifies the potential of such collaborations," he explained.
Li also added that the Consulate General is also actively involved in skills development initiatives that enhance economic cooperation between China and South Africa.
A focus on technical skills training is evident through collaborations with Chinese enterprises and educational institutions. Areas covered include construction safety, welding, mechanical skills training, and innovative 'Chinese + Vocational Skills' programmes through the Confucius Institute at DUT. In partnership with Tianjin Vocational Institute, the establishment of the Luban Workshop is dedicated to vocational education, he said. He added that the introduction of Juncao technology for mushroom cultivation has empowered local farmers with practical skills while sharing China’s poverty alleviation experiences.
"Each year, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce organises a variety of training programmes aimed at capacity building and exchange, with many individuals from KwaZulu-Natal already benefiting from these initiatives," he said.
*This is Part 3 of a series of exclusive interviews that the Chinese Consul General in Durban, Li Zhigong, granted the Daily News' editor, Ayanda Mdluli.