As the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (#FOCAC) summit draws closer, a quiet revolution is unfolding in South Sudan’s classrooms. From scholarships to school construction, China’s educational partnership with the world’s youngest nation is shaping a new generation of leaders and innovators 🚀.
Building Bridges, One Classroom at a Time
Imagine studying robotics in Beijing or public health in Shanghai—this is now reality for nearly 1,000 South Sudanese students on Chinese government scholarships. ‘My training in agricultural tech will help my community fight food insecurity,’ says Deng, 24, one of over 5,000 professionals who’ve gained skills through these exchanges 🌱.
More Than Bricks and Mortar
China’s support extends beyond textbooks. New primary schools in Juba and remote areas are equipped with solar panels and digital learning tools 💻, while vocational centers train electricians and healthcare workers. ‘Education is the foundation of sovereignty,’ says South Sudan’s Education Ministry Undersecretary Kuyok Abol Kuyok.
With FOCAC 2024 set to boost China-Africa collaboration, this partnership proves that soft power can be as transformative as infrastructure megaprojects. As one student tweeted: ‘Next stop: Changsha!’ 🛫
