New horizons: Opportunities for South African students in China
In the exclusive insights into the vast opportunities available for South African students to study in China, it was revealed that an array of scholarship programs and academic partnerships have already fostered fruitful exchange of knowledge and skills.
They say when one door closes, another one opens, and China is always at the forefront of opening doors and providing Africans opportunities to learn and grow in everything they put their minds to.
In a world increasingly characterised by division and discord, a recent speech by Jiang Yurong, a Chinese graduate from Harvard University, has resonated deeply within both the United States and China.
Jiang delivered her message of unity on Thursday, coinciding with significant political developments surrounding immigration policy and international education."We don't rise by proving each other wrong. We rise by refusing to let one another go," Jiang said.
Her speech went viral in China, with some saying it moved them while others were critical. Correlating this week, in an exclusive interview with the Consul General of China in Durban, Li Zhigong, one of the underlying themes in the conversation was about unlocking potential across borders and exploring how South African students can benefit from studying in China and the myriad of collaborative opportunities that await.
In the exclusive insights into the vast opportunities available for South African students to study in China from Li, it was revealed that an array of scholarship programs and academic partnerships have already fostered fruitful exchange of knowledge and skills.
According to Li, the Chinese government offers a comprehensive suite of scholarship programmes designed to entice South African students.
"These scholarships, available for both undergraduate and postgraduate studies, encompass a wide array of benefits including tuition coverage, provision of textbooks, multiple round-trip flights, and a monthly stipend," he said.
He highlighted that the disciplines in high demand span engineering, medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), agriculture, information and communication technology (ICT), international relations, and the study of Chinese language and culture — all areas that align closely with South Africa's developmental needs.
"The Consulate warmly encourages prospective applicants, highlighting the importance of returnees as contributors to bilateral cooperation," he said.
He further highlighted that collaboration is key to enhancing the educational ties between South African institutions and Chinese universities.
"Opportunities for joint research initiatives, student and staff exchanges, as well as co-hosted academic programmes are flourishing. For instance, the Durban University of Technology (DUT) has established a partnership with Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University to promote skills development. Notably, the Confucius Institute at DUT has emerged as a prominent cultural and language platform, training thousands of students in Chinese language and culture. The partnership between the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and the Centers for Disease Control in Sichuan province, focusing on HIV/AIDS research and facilitating exchanges of Chinese medical students, exemplifies the potential of such collaborations," he explained.
Li also added that the Consulate General is also actively involved in skills development initiatives that enhance economic cooperation between China and South Africa.
A focus on technical skills training is evident through collaborations with Chinese enterprises and educational institutions. Areas covered include construction safety, welding, mechanical skills training, and innovative 'Chinese + Vocational Skills' programmes through the Confucius Institute at DUT. In partnership with Tianjin Vocational Institute, the establishment of the Luban Workshop is dedicated to vocational education, he said. He added that the introduction of Juncao technology for mushroom cultivation has empowered local farmers with practical skills while sharing China's poverty alleviation experiences.
"Each year, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce organises a variety of training programmes aimed at capacity building and exchange, with many individuals from KwaZulu-Natal already benefiting from these initiatives," he said.
*This is Part 3 of a series of exclusive interviews that the Chinese Consul General in Durban, Li Zhigong, granted the Daily News' editor, Ayanda Mdluli.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
TimesLIVE
2 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
'A man of unwavering principles': Ramaphosa delivers eulogy at activist cleric Tshenuwani Farisani's funeral
President Cyril Ramaphosa has described the late activist cleric Rev Tshenuwani Simon Farisani as a man of unwavering principles who did not yearn for the limelight and positions. Ramaphosa delivered the eulogy at the funeral of the ANC politician at the University of Venda stadium in Limpopo on Saturday. Farisani was accorded a special official provincial funeral category two. 'He was a man of unwavering principles. Nothing could sway him from what was right, from his dedication to the cause of the people of South Africa and their total emancipation,' he said. Ramaphosa said Farisani saw himself as a mentor and 'indeed he was my mentor and he was my teacher as well'. Scores of politicians, including ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, attended the funeral. Farisani was a revered South African theologian, Lutheran minister, anti-apartheid activist and political leader. He was a man of unwavering principles. Nothing could sway him from what was right, from his dedication to the cause of the people of South Africa and their total emancipation. President Cyril Ramaphosa He was born on August 30 1948 in Songozwi village (then part of the Venda homeland in the Transvaal). He rose from rural hardship to become one of the most influential voices in liberation theology and the struggle for freedom in apartheid South Africa. 'We have lost an extraordinary man who lived an extraordinary life. This obituary, which has been read by his child, is an obituary that includes the life of Tshenuwani in full,' Ramaphosa said. He further added Farisani's year of birth, 1948, was a turning point in the history of South Africa, a year when the National Party swept to power and ushered in an evil spirit of apartheid that was declared a crime against humanity by the UN. 'Dean Farisani was born into circumstances that mirrored the lives of millions of black South Africans at the time. He was just a child, barely three years old, when his family was confronted with the ugly face of injustice.' He said many years later, in 1996, Farisani would testify at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission on how his family became victims of forced removals from Songozwi near Makhado (formerly known as Louis Trichardt). Farisani, he said, rebelled against the dubious teachings of the Lutheran theological college at Maphumulo, from which he was expelled in 1972. Ramaphosa hails late Mam Motlana as a 'fearless and resolute' opponent of oppression President Cyril Ramaphosa said South Africans should pay tribute to activist and Member of the Order of the Baobab Sally Motlana by emulating her ... Politics 1 year ago He developed an interest in liberation theology and its message that the true Christian faith demands active resistance to all forms of oppression and solidarity with the poor. He became involved with underground political organisations like the Black People's Convention, the black consciousness movement. It was at this time that Farisani travelled extensively across the country. In his many travels, he visited Mphaphuli High School, where Ramaphosa was a pupil. 'Farisani was a guest at our school's flourishing debating society, which a number of us, including Judge Raulinga, Tshifhiwa Muofhe and people like Willy Mudau, had set up. Farisani and I formed an immediate and lasting bond of friendship, comradeship and loyalty based on respect and love. He opened to me the radical interpretation of the Bible, which Farisani was later to become famous for. 'He argued the Lutheran church must turn away from political conservatism and become an instrument of opposition,' said Ramaphosa. He said Farisani was a courageous revolutionary who inspired a generation to reclaim their pride and to stand up for their rights. 'I was one of those who were hugely inspired by him. He was, in addition to everything else, a renowned academic, a prolific scholar whose writings gave voice to the voiceless. He was a guide and a mentor to many.' Ramaphosa said Farisani's activism continued into the democratic era, where he became an MEC and speaker of the legislature in Limpopo province. He said those roles placed him in a position of power and influence, yet did not change him. 'He was a servant leader who came, served and left. When he saw corruption being perpetrated by those who are trusted with public funds, he was vocal and scathing in his criticism, and that is why he was one of those when the VBS looting happened who spoke out. 'He spoke out to a point where a number of people started to hate him, but it never moved him. The foundation that bears his name continues to be an influential voice in the public space in advancing social justice. Neither beatings nor torture could make Farisani surrender his principles' .
TimesLIVE
6 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Illicit financial flows are derailing Africa's future
Illicit financial flows (IFFs) continue to undermine the future of Africa, hampering the ability of governments to adequately fund education, healthcare and development projects essential for lifting people out of poverty and fostering sustainable economic growth. As business leaders, politicians, academics and citizens, we cannot sit back. We must help curb the illegal flow of money out of our country through a cohesive effort by all stakeholders, both local and international, to ensure safeguards are put in place, laws are harmonised, and all enforcement agencies work together to address the problem. At the same time, we must not do anything that will deter investment. Ahead of G20 summit in Johannesburg in November, as well precursor meetings — such as the G20 finance ministers' and central bank governors' meeting and the T20 midterm conference held this month — we must formulate proposals that integrate the perspectives of public and private sector institutions, nonprofit organisations, think-tanks and universities. Together we can make valuable policy recommendations, such as using AI to turn vast amounts of data into information for developing strategic interventions. Working alongside each other, we can identify gaps in current legal frameworks and areas where greater co-operation is required. We must seek ways to stem illicit money flows. When individuals or companies evade their tax obligations, deliberately falsify import or export documents, or misappropriate funds intended for development projects, they are not committing victimless crimes. These outflows not only weaken our reputation in the eyes of the international markets, but also make it harder for the government to raise capital at manageable interest rates. We already owe too much: the National Treasury predicts that debt on our national balance sheet will be 77% of GDP this year. IFFs directly undermine economic growth, costing the South African economy the equivalent of almost 5% of annual collected tax revenue — losses of about R92.5bn. On the African continent, the numbers are more alarming, with between $50bn (about R889bn) and $90bn stolen annually, according to the UN. A 2020 report from a UN conference on trade and development states that IFFs represent as much as 3.7% of Africa's GDP. This figure has almost certainly grown since then, given that those who break laws will keep doing so if they are not held accountable. We recently convened a G20 multi-stakeholder dialogue to better understand this challenge, quantify its impact, assess current solutions, and identify new ones . One of our speakers, deputy minister of international relations and co-operation Alvin Botes, spelt out what this theft means: countries with high IFFs spend at least 25% less on healthcare and 50% less on education compared with their peers. IFFs wipe out any good the $65bn in aid Africa receives each year might do. They reduce progress made in making people's lives better. There are initiatives under way to address IFFs. For example, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) collaborates with the UN to strengthen countries' financial systems and prevent illicit outflows. While South Africa's inclusion on the FATF's grey list is viewed by some as an embarrassment, it enables us to strengthen our legal and regulatory frameworks, as well as enhance our anti-money-laundering capabilities. While South Africa's inclusion on the FATF's grey list is viewed by some as an embarrassment, it enables us to strengthen our legal and regulatory frameworks, as well as enhance our anti-money-laundering capabilities. We are also seeing prosecutions of high-level fraudsters, especially those who use dubious accounting methods to move money around and avoid paying their fair share of taxes. It is gratifying to see that action has been taken in this regard. Other UN entities have developed discussion platforms and measurement systems. There are 10 asset-recovery inter-agency networks that have 178 member countries, allowing illicit money flows to be traced across borders. In addition, Interpol supports national and international law enforcement agencies to investigate, trace and prosecute those responsible for these crimes. We must all strive towards expanding such interventions, as well as advocate for and enable closer alignment between government departments and between local law enforcement agencies and their international counterparts. However, our solutions must not cause more harm than good by discouraging legitimate investment. We should not, for example, implement unfair tax regimes that could result in capital flight. We must also not inhibit international investment inflows by making it nearly impossible to comply with legislation and regulations. Such a state of affairs would merely encourage companies to operate businesses in sectors such as import and export under the radar. Through working together by sharing data, harmonising laws and holding those responsible for IFFs accountable, we can strengthen the economy by plugging the holes through which money leaks and encouraging investment. Our people deserve nothing less.
Eyewitness News
6 hours ago
- Eyewitness News
KZN Treasury banking on Comrades Marathon to give local tourism a boost
DURBAN - KwaZulu-Natal's Treasury Department has described Comrades Marathon as a major boost for the province's economy. Thousands have booked accommodation in Pietermaritzburg and Durban ahead of the marathon. The race will start in Pietermaritzburg and end at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. Finance MEC Francious Rodgers said the province always gets excited to host this event. 'It's obviously one of those really big events that we are proud of. It has a history in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, and it's not a South African event, it's an international event.' He said the hospitality industry will do business this weekend. 'And if you try and to get accommodation in Durban and Pietermaritzburg over the weekend, it's fully covered, booked, and that's exactly what we want.'
