Defined as ‘mobile students”, a growing number of tertiary scholars decide to complete a full degree outside their home countries annually. There were 2,5-million mobile students worldwide in 2004 — and China has become an attractive destination for international scholarships.
As an emerging power China has witnessed increasing inter-nationality among its students. In 2002, almost 86 000 international students studied in mainland China (across almost 400 of its 2 500 institutions), an increase of 38,7% from the year before. This grew to 110 000 foreign students last year.
Simultaneously, as China integrates into the global economy and entrenches itself within the south there is a greater need for a better understanding on how to engage with the Middle Kingdom. This dynamic is especially relevant in the China-Africa context.
The People’s Republic of China is determined to take the Sino-African friendship to a higher level, and to achieve this ‘greater interactions and deeper understanding and friendship between [Africa and China] are crucial”, in the words of Chinese President Hu Jintao during the South African leg of his eight-nation trip earlier this year.
He noted that, so far, more than 20 000 African students have been recipients of Chinese government scholarships in the past. Currently, 2 000 Chinese government scholarships are granted to African scholars annually. This figure is likely to triple in the next few years.
In his speech, delivered at the University of Pretoria in February, Hu addressed the youths of South Africa, and explained the premium the Chinese government places on how South African scholars can strengthen Sino-South African friendship. This is not only to promote international exchanges culturally, but also in the field of education, communication and, most importantly, science and technology.
Presently only a handful of these scholarships are held by South Africans. The low level of participation by South Africans is not surprising as less than 1% of South African students go overseas to obtain a degree. Reasons for this are diverse, ranging from financial constraints to a lack of interest.
In contrast South Africa has become progressively attractive to foreign students as a place of study. In 2004, according to the Unesco Global Education Digest 2006, South Africa hosted 49 979 internationals to study at various tertiary institutions across the country. In fact foreign students completing full degrees comprise 7% of the total number of students studying in South Africa.
Obviously, advantages of studying abroad are significant. Besides increasing job opportunities, advancing language and soft skills, travelling, as well as acquiring global and cultural awareness, the adventure of living in another country can become a life experience that is priceless.
With support from the South African department of education, the Centre for Chinese Studies (CCS), housed at Stellenbosch University, is active in marketing five scholarships to South Africans (undergraduate or postgraduate) to study in China. The CCS has previously selected a number of students for these scholarships who are now studying at Chinese institutions.
In addition, the CCS is also facilitating the administration of two Unesco/People’s Republic in China — Great Wall co-sponsored fellowships for postgraduate studies to China.
A number of prestigious Chinese universities are ranked in the top 200 worldwide by the THES-OS World University Ranking — something that South African universities cannot pride themselves on.
A scholarship to China is not only the perfect opportunity to study at the leading institutions of the future and to learn the most-spoken language on the planet but also to discover the rich history and culture of one of the oldest nations in the world.
Hannah Edinger is research manager and Katrin Schulze is research assistant at the Centre for Chinese Studies. For more information on the scholarships contact the centre at 021 808 2840 or visit www.ccs.org.za