-encouraged to return after completing studies to help build country
THE Chinese Embassy in Guyana hosted the 2026 Chinese Government Scholarship Award Ceremony, celebrating this year’s scholarship recipients as they prepare to begin their studies in China.
The top recipients for this year are Ronetta Taquasha Cort, and Sasha Latanya Bentham. For several years, the Chinese Government scholarship programme has supported talented Guyanese youth by providing opportunities to study at nearly 300 Chinese universities. These institutions offer a wide range of academic programmes, including education, engineering, healthcare, and economics.
Delivering remarks, Minister of Public Service, Government Efficiency, and Implementation, Zulfikar Ally, told the recipients they are the country’s ambassadors and as they begin their studies, they must be prepared to experience a new culture and meet new people from diverse backgrounds.
“I know, having been myself, someone who had received a government scholarship previously, how exciting it is. But a lot of responsibility also rests on your shoulders to do well, to make your parents proud, to make your country proud, and also to show the kindness and generosity that has been given to us by the government and the people of China in allowing us to be part of learning, not only in the fields that we’re going to study, but to learn about the culture, the rich history of China, which is remarkable,” Minister Ally remarked.
He encouraged them that once in China, they should take their time to learn about the history, tour their environments, and experience the culture, “because one way or the other, when you come back to Guyana, I am pretty sure there will be things that you would want to recommend that we do here in Guyana, things that you see that you think we can improve on and to do better,” the Minister advised.
He told them that Guyana and China have always had a “very deep and close” bilateral relationship, spanning several years.
The relationship between both governments, he pointed out, has been excellent. Minister Ally stated that the people and government of China have always been very supportive of Guyana and the people of Guyana.
The scholarship which has been received by a handful of Guyanese students thus far, is a small part of that contribution that has been made by the people and Government of China.
Minister Ally added that many of the infrastructural work that exists in Guyana have been executed successfully by Chinese contractors. Infrastructure aside, the People’s Republic of China has provided additional skills and technology to Guyana, as well as financing for various projects.
“So, China is very integrated in our development, and we are very happy, and Ambassador, please accept our appreciation for all of the work that the government of China has done and all of the support as well,” he added.
The minister told the recipients that they are all going to be ambassadors. “I don’t expect to hear you’re not going to classes, you’re absconding, not learning Chinese or Mandarin. I expect to hear very good reports about all of you, because like I said, you are ambassadors. Everywhere you go in China, and you tell people you’re from Guyana, they don’t see you just as a Guyanese. They see you as an ambassador.”
Furthermore, he expressed hope that when they return to Guyana in a year, they will also serve the nation in either the public service or the private sector.
“I hope that you will, when you come back to Guyana, when you finish studying, that you will take all that you have learned in the various fields that you’re in, and you will come back and you will apply it here,” he emphasised.
