Bursaries have been awarded to the students selected for the Chinese Ambassador Bursary Program.

The bursaries were awarded during an awarding ceremony held at the Islamic University of Maldives on Monday.

The bursaries were awarded to the students by Chief Guest, Ambassador of China to Maldives Wang Lixin and the Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Ibrahim Hassan.

Taking to Twitter following the awarding ceremony, Ambassador Wang Lixin expressed hope that the program will help promote cultural and educational exchanges between Maldives and China, and serve as a bridge to connect the hearts of young people of the two countries.

A statement issued by the IUM reads that the Embassy of China in Maldives and the university jointly launched the Chinese Ambassador Bursary Program in a bid to financially support the students of IUM in higher education.

The bursaries were handed to students selected for the program held at the IUM hall on Monday.

The work for the Chinese Ambassador Bursary Program officially began on 6 June 2022 after a special agreement was signed between IUM and the Embassy of China in Maldives regarding the program.

Under the initiative by IUM and the Chinese embassy, a total of 14 students have been awarded bursaries.

Each of these 14 students will be entitled to receive a total of MVR 10,000 as tuition fee.

The university’s statement goes on to read that the Chinese Ambassador Bursary Program will immerse the country's youth in the rich culture of China and provide educational opportunities to the younger generation of the Maldives.

The ceremony was attended by senior management officials of the university, employees as well as students and their parents.