NUL Confucius Institute Awards 11 Students Chinese Scholarships to Pursue Masters

With less than a year since its establishment, the National University of Lesotho Confucius Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology (NUL-CIAST) has recorded a milestone as 11 students were awarded Chinese Scholarship Council (CSC)-Silk Road scholarships to pursue their master’s degrees. The ceremony took place in Roma on Thursday, combining the scholarship send-off, the closure of a Chinese language pre-travel training course, and the welcoming of new Chinese teachers under the theme “Strengthening developmental ties through education and culture.”

The recipients come from the Faculties of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Health Sciences (Nutrition Department), and Social Sciences. They will pursue advanced studies in Food Science, Agricultural Economics, and Animal Science at Jilin Agricultural University and Tonghua Normal University in China.

NUL-CIAST is a joint initiative between NUL and the two Chinese universities. It serves as a platform for collaborative research, academic exchanges, and technology transfer in agriculture and related sciences. The scholarships highlight the institute’s role in linking Lesotho’s academic community with global partners while building human capacity for national development.

In his remarks, NUL Vice-Chancellor Professor Isaac Fajana described the event as a significant step in the growing cooperation between NUL and its Chinese counterparts. He highlighted the benefits of language learning, cultural exchange, and academic advancement. Professor Fajana encouraged the students to be curious, open-minded, and hardworking, urging them to return with skills and knowledge that will benefit not only the university but the Basotho nation as a whole. He also expressed gratitude to the Chinese Embassy and the Confucius Institute for their support.

Chinese Embassy Counsellor Lu Hui congratulated the scholarship recipients and acknowledged the challenges of learning Mandarin. He quoted an ancient Chinese saying, “The sea of learning is boundless. Only perseverance is the vessel to reach the shore,” to encourage students as they embark on their journey. He emphasized that mastering Mandarin will be their first challenge but expressed confidence that they will excel academically and culturally during their studies in China.

The awarding of the scholarships underlines the importance of education and cultural ties in strengthening Lesotho-China relations. Through NUL-CIAST, more Basotho students are expected to benefit from academic opportunities that build skills in key areas such as agriculture, science, and technology, driving innovation and growth for the country.