It is learnt that the Chinese business community in Ethiopia on Saturday launched a strong education and scholarship foundation with the Addis Ababa Science and Technology University (AASTU) to boost its education and training capacities.
As has been learnt, the foundation provides a consistent and long-term support of finance which will covers diversified aspects, including a scholarship scheme of cash amounting to half a million Birr (500,000.00 Ethiopian Birr) each year for more than one hundred (100) students who will be selected based on their cumulative best performances. The money will also assist students for internships and overseas educational opportunities.
On Saturday, April 09, 2016, one of the Chinese telecom companies trade named as ZTE and Ethio-telecom donated a big platform of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) laboratory to the university. It is presented to the University with all its full packages of hardwares and software capacity. The Technology is supposed to Simulate IP Network Designs, TDM Network Design, and other essentially key technologies. This will assist technology trainees to practice on a simulated technology which will undoubtedly will ease their actual on the job performances.
Speaking on the occasion, His Excellency Abiy Ahmed, Minister of Science and Technology, said, "The Chinese companies have been carrying out various development activities in Ethiopia. The establishment of the foundation and the ICT Lab donated to AASTU demonstrate the commitment from the Chinese side in supporting Ethiopia’s endeavors in human capital development". As noted by the Minister, the Chinese companies presence in Ethiopia adds fuel to the nation's development.
His Excellency La Yifan, Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia, also said, "Chinese business communities in Ethiopia have been fulfilling their social responsibilities by providing support in the education sector as well as by participating in different social activities, including transplanting of tree seedlings and sponsoring sports and other related events." The Ambassador's remarks focused on the socio-economic responsibilities' bearing of Chinese business communities and industries.
The ambassador also said that there is a strong foundation with AASTU, and the lab would help further strengthen the friendship between China and Ethiopia. Likewise, the cooperation between Chinese business ventures and AASTU is the first of its kind. These cooperations are not cooperations of a short-term interest, but they are long-term plans of strong-friendship. Hence, Chinese companies will continue their unwavering partnership with Ethiopia's endeavours in educational institutions as cooperation initiatives with which there are already some other universities underway in the scheme.
By Alelign A. Wudie (Source: Xinhua).
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