The Chinese Embassy in Harare on Wednesday hosted the 2026–2027 Chinese Government Scholarship and 2026 China-Zimbabwe Friendship Scholarship Awarding Ceremony, highlighting the growing role of education in strengthening relations between the two countries.
The event was organised by Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Zhou Ding and his spouse, Madame Lyu Renhong, and was attended by Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Dr Frederick Shava, education officials, teachers, students and other guests.
Ambassador Zhou said the scholarships were more than financial support, describing them as an expression of the enduring friendship between Zimbabwe and China.
“Since I took up my post in Zimbabwe three years ago, nearly 200 young Zimbabweans have received this prestigious scholarship. Far more than financial support, this award stands for the enduring goodwill and friendship between our two nations,” he said.
More than 6,000 Zimbabwean students have studied in China over the past decade, with the programmes supporting human capital development and complementing Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 and Heritage-Based Education 5.0 priorities.
Dr Shava said the scholarships were part of a longstanding partnership and aligned with Zimbabwe’s national development priorities.
“From 2024 to 2026 alone, 20 Zimbabwean students benefited from the Chinese Government Scholarship Programme, while an impressive 200 students were supported under the China-Zimbabwe Friendship Scholarship,” he said.
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He said the beneficiaries would contribute to key sectors through studies in international relations, business administration, and aeronautical and astronautical science and technology.
“For International Relations, you will strengthen Zimbabwe’s voice in global diplomacy and cooperation,” Dr Shava said, urging the students to return as highly skilled professionals ready to serve the country.
Previous scholarship recipient Stellah Muleza said studying in China had transformed her understanding of education and the world.
“When I arrived in China, I quickly realised that studying abroad was not simply going to be about attending classes and passing examinations. It was going to be a journey of growth, discovery, and transformation,” she said.
Muleza encouraged the new beneficiaries to embrace the opportunity, saying, “This scholarship is not simply an award. It is a responsibility.”
New recipient Justice Tawedzegwa Mufiri Junior said the scholarship would equip young Zimbabweans with skills that could contribute to economic development, while Ruth Nedziwe said she hoped to use her International Relations studies to contribute to Zimbabwe’s global diplomacy.
The ceremony, held during the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, underscored the importance of education, youth exchanges and human capital development in deepening the enduring China-Zimbabwe partnership.
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