The Second Secretary of the Chinese Embassy in Samoa, Shaozhong Cui, has outlined development assistance to the Samoa education sector.
These include the increasing numbers of scholarships offered to Samoan students compared to the past years.
“In the past five years, the number of scholarships stands at over 10 on average annually and in 2014 it has increased to 22.”
The scholarship increase was only a part of wide ranging efforts to support the Samoa education sector.
“China understands the importance of education in shaping a country’s economic growth and social progress, and hence has made great financial and technical contributions to the development of educational sector in Samoa.
“In terms of capacity building, since 1982 China has been providing a number of scholarships annually to Samoan students.”
“Over the years, the number of scholarships offered by China has been steadily increasing.”
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The scholarships on offer every year are mostly tertiary learning level programs including undergraduate, masters and doctorate levels.
Majors of study range broadly from natural sciences, social sciences and humanity studies, which are compatible with the real demand of the social-economic development of Samoa.
“A lot of Samoan students study in key and prestigious universities in China such as Harbin Institute of Technology, South China University of Technology, China University of Political Science and Law, Wuhan University etc.”
Apart from offering scholarships, since 2005 China has also been providing Chinese language teachers to the National University of Samoa and some primary schools.
“There are currently four teachers teaching Chinese in Samoa”, he said.
China offers dozens of shortcourse training programs every year for various Samoan officials and technicians.
“Over the years, China has educated and trained hundreds of Samoan officials, technicians, students and other professionals, providing competent talents in a wide range of sectors for Samoa.”
“In terms of education infrastructure building, since 2007 China has constructed seven primary schools under its grant aid to Samoa, which include A’ele Primary School, Matautu Primary School, Vaitele Primary School, Falevao Primary School, Faleu Primary school, Sapapalii Primary School, Gautavai Primary School.”
There are some more primary schools such as Siumu Primary School under construction, said Mr. Shaozhong.
“These schools are built with new classrooms and equipped with high-caliber learning facilities like computers and nice furniture and they are widely located in various villages in Upolu, Savaii and Manono Islands, offering good education opportunities to Samoan school children in remote rural areas.”
Apart from primary schools, China will also construct some other higher and specialized learning institutions like the Maritime School of the National University of Samoa, Training Centre for Disabilities and Samoan Sports Academy in the near future, he said.
Their “greatest hope” is that these China-aided facilities play an important role in Samoa’s education cause.
Mr. Shaozhong said it is believed that through joint efforts by both sides, Samoa will achieve even greater progress in education and capacity building, which will contribute significantly to social and economic development of Samoa.
“As a close development partner to Samoa, China has rendered a great amount of development assistance within its capacity to the latter since it established diplomatic relations with Samoa in 1975.”
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