China awards scholarships to Nigerian lecturers

Nigeria’s bilateral education agreement with China is yielding positive results as four Nigerian lecturers have been awarded Ph.D scholarship by the Biejing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Julius Okojie, executive secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), had said.

Mr Okojie, who spoke on Tuesday in Abuja at the formal presentation of the scholarship at the NUC, stated that the event represents a major accomplishment on the part of the commission.

He said the NUC had, have over the years, sponsored vice-chancellors on study visits to the US, Britain and other western countries to expose them to global trends in university administration.


“Our relationship with Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications started only in December 2010 when NUC sponsored 15 vice chancellors on a study visit to some Chinese universities.

“One of the objectives of that visit was to expose Nigerian academics to the Chinese perspective of tertiary education, considering that China has emerged as a global power in terms of economics, education, science and technology,” he said.

He said in recognition of the commission’s efforts, the Beijing University for Posts and Telecommunications offered to train five academics at PhD level in the areas of ICT and telecommunications.

NUC then worked with universities to identify suitable and interested faculties to take up the offers, the result of which is the formal presentation of the scholarship.

“Four of the five university lecturers are receiving their awards today (Tuesday), out of which the Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications has offered 100 per cent scholarship to two candidates and part scholarship (excluding living expenses and accommodation) to the other two candidates.
“The beneficiaries are Nentawe Gurumdimma, University of Jos; Salihu Alhaji Bala, Federal University of Technology, Minna; Abana Munzali Ahmed, Federal University of Technology, Yola; and Lawoyin Lukman, University of Ilorin,” Mr Okojie said.

Partnership for growth
He said the NUC, in collaboration with the University of Technology, Yola, and the University of Ilorin, has decided to augment the scholarship for the two candidates with part scholarship.

NUC had advertised the scholarship for interested Nigerian lecturers, after which the selection process commenced and culminated in the emergence of five candidates.

Deng Boqing, Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, who was represented by Cheng Peng, Cultural attaché to the Embassy, said there has been good relationship between China and Nigeria on educational issues.

“We have offered 30 scholarships to Nigerian students in 2011. 4 Chinese students are currently studying Hausa in Bayero University Kano,” Mr Peng said.

Mr Bala, one of the awardees who spoke on behalf of other recipients, expressed appreciation to the federal government and pledged to use their experience in China for further development of the nation’s educator sector.

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