Japan’s plan to increase scholarships elate students

Student unions have expressed gladness at pronouncements made by the Japanese government to increase the number
of African scholarships to that country.

University of Zambia Student Union (UNZASU) secretary general Sangulukani Tembo said the gesture was appreciated as it was a good move aimed at taking education to greater heights.

Mr. Tembo told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that the move will enhance student’s exchange of values, culture and experiences from different countries.

He has since called on other nations to emulate Japan’s commitment of contribute to the development of education in Africa.

And Evelyn Hone College students has welcomed the gesture saying if well implemented, the increase in the number of African scholarships to Japan, will benefit a number of Zambians.

Outgoing Evelyn Hone College Student Union (EHCOSU) secretary Josias Phiri noted that the increase in the number of African scholarships by Japan will enable school leavers and graduates to further their education thus enhancing a more qualified human resource in the country.

Mr. Phiri has however appealed to the Japanese government to consider further increasing the number in future considering the growing population in Africa.

The Japanese government announced that it will double the number of African students studying in Japan from the current 1,155 to 3,000 by 2020 during the recent  Africa-Japan education ministers’ meeting held in Japan.