"So far, more than 300 students from two universities, UP and PNU, have benefited from the Scholarship."
"So far, more than 300 students from two universities, UP and PNU, have benefited from the Scholarship."
While a handful of students from two of the country’s top universities were out there proclaiming before the world they will be boycotting their classes until President Rodrigo Duterte is ousted from office (as if the people care), the Chinese Embassy, led by China’s Ambassador to Manila, Huang Xilian, held an online Christmas gathering for the Chinese Ambassador Scholarship Recipients from the University of the Philippines and the Philippine Normal University.
The special day was for around 40 faculty members and students from both universities in order to celebrate the nearing holidays both onsite and online.
In his welcoming remarks, Ambassador Huang congratulated the scholars for their excellent performance and achievements. He also expressed his appreciation to the faculty for their unyielding efforts and support as he put emphasis on China’s and the Philippines’ relationship being long-time friends and neighbors, partners and relatives, saying a big number of Filipinos have Chinese blood in their veins.
Incidentally, this year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and the Philippines, which, under the auspices of China’s President Xi Jinping and Duterte, have ushered in a new dimension.
"This year, our two countries have been fighting the pandemic hand-in-hand, which is another vivid illustration of the brotherly friendship between the two countries. Looking ahead, China-Philippines relations enjoy bright futures and broad prospects.” Ambassador Huang said during the online event.
The ambassador added that he always believed that the Philippines’ future will be deeply rooted in its own national development, in a stable and amicable neighborhood, and in a peaceful and prosperous Asian region, and at the end of the day lies with the generation of youth, as he expressed hope that the scholars would grow as envoys for closer exchanges and mutual learning between our two countries. Ambassador Huang is sure that they will always stand on the right side of history and make positive contributions to the world and the well-being of mankind.
Together with the students were Chancellor of UP Diliman Dr. Fidel Nemenzo and President of PNU Dr. Bert Tuga, who both expressed their gratitude to the Chinese Ambassador in their remarks.
Nemenzo said he hopes the UP will help in mutually constructing win-win relationships between the two countries as he extended his gratitude for the scholarships that were given to the students, which creates a new generation of leaders who are imbued with a healthy view of the relations between the two countries.
Tuga said that Chinese Ambassador Scholarship is one of the few scholarships that gather its recipients regularly towards the end of the year. This only shows how committed they are to linking with their scholars beyond the walls of our Universities. The scholarship provided by the Embassy will not only impact individuals but also schools and learners that every PNU graduate will serve in the future.
Furthermore, two scholarship recipient representatives also gave special speeches of appreciation.
"My heart is overflowing with thanks and I feel so fortunate to have been selected as the recipient of this honor. Your generosity will allow me and my fellow students to pursue our dreams and for that I cannot thank you enough," said Jerica Malliah Fonacier, a third-year student from UP.
"This scholarship program aside from charity, is implying to us the values of mutual respect, understanding and cooperation, that open an avenue to promote common good, social responsibility and innovative thinking," Harold Bumanglag of PNU said.
The Chinese Ambassador Scholarship was launched in September 2014 at UP and PNU to help the needy students pursue their academic studies.
So far, more than 300 students from both universities have benefited from the Scholarship.
Wow! The Chinese scholars even outnumber those protesters from the two universities as according to media reports, there about 150 students who showed up for the mass action at the Katipunan-based school while photos posted in the social media from the other schools show only about 20 students and faculty members raising their placards. And yet they even have the temerity to demand for mass promotion. Are they really protesting against the administration or are simply too lazy to pursue their studies? I thought they abhor diploma mills? What happened to the quality education they have been demanding? Anyway, that’s a different story.
I hope the Chinese Embassy expands its scholarship program to bring forth happiness at Christmas in more households.
