MTHE Hosts Delegation from Jiangxi Provincial Government of China to Enhance China-Sierra Leone Partnership
23rd May, 2024
In a move to strengthen the diplomatic ties between Sierra Leone and China, the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE) has received a delegation from the Jiangxi Provincial Government of China. The visit aims to further deepen the cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the education sector.
Sierra Leone's Deputy Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Sarjoh Aziz-Kamara, expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the delegation for their consideration to engage with the Ministry, adding that such gesture signifies the recognition of the Ministry as a valuable partner in Sierra Leone's development.
The Deputy Minister highlighted the similarities between the two nations, with both being rich in mineral deposits and prioritizing investment in their people. He also shared his personal experience of visiting China, where he was impressed by the country's culture and hospitality.
He noted that the relationship between China and Sierra Leone dates back over 50 years, and has continued to grow through educational and cultural exchange initiatives, adding that under the leadership of President Bio, Sierra Leone has identified five key areas for development, known as the "Big-Five Game Changers." These include "Feed Salone," "Human Capital Development," "Youth Employment Scheme (YES!)," "Revamping the Public Service Architecture," and "Tech and Infrastructure."
The Deputy Minister expressed his belief that China, with its immense development experience, will play a crucial role in supporting these initiatives.
He also disclosed that China has sponsored over 1,000 students to study in China and has invited more than 5,100 Sierra Leoneans for short-term training courses, capacity building, and cultural exchange programs. This, according to him, has not only enhanced the country's education sector but also fostered people-to-people connection between the two nations.
The Deputy Minister expressed his hope for China's support in the transformational drive to provide more scholarships and training for Sierra Leonean lecturers. This, he said, will not only benefit the education sector but also contribute to the country's overall development, specifically on skills technical, vocational, education, and training.
He commended the Confucius Institute, which has played a crucial role in promoting Chinese language and culture in Sierra Leone. According to him, the collaboration between the University of Sierra Leone and the Confucius Institute has given Sierra Leonean students the unique opportunity to learn and gain proficiency in the Chinese language as well as enhance their globally competitive abilities.
In his address, Deputy Governor of Jiangxi Provincial Government of China, His Excellency Hongshan Sun, highlighted the longstanding relationship between China and Sierra Leone, which has only grown stronger over time. He mentioned that in early 2024, the leaders of both countries, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio and Chinese President Xi Jinping, recognized the need for further collaboration and cooperation between the two nations.
He said that the reason for their delegation's visit to MTHE was to accomplish three tasks, vis-a-vis:
- to further deepen the cooperation between Jiangxi and Sierra Leone, especially through Gannan Normal University and University of Sierra Leone
- to further develop the Confucius Institute by joint efforts
- and to devise a scheme and see what they could do together to train and cultivate Sierra Leonean local teachers.
He expressed his delight to have visited the University of Sierra Leone and witnessed students learning the traditional martial art, which holds a special place in Chinese culture, anticipating that such art form can serve as a bridge connecting the youth of Sierra Leone and China.
He further disclosed ongoing plans to establish a "China-Sierra Leone Cultural Exchange Centre" with an estimated budget of $3,000,000. He said that the Chinese delegation is eager to see this project come to fruition and contribute to the development of cultural exchange between the two countries.