Six Guyanese awarded Chinese scholarships

Aug 12, 2025 News

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Kaieteur News – Six Guyanese students were awarded full scholarships to pursue academic studies in China. A simple ceremony was held on Monday at the Chinese Embassy in Georgetown, where 18-year-old Yudesh Persaud, 31-year-old Serena Rambaran, 22- year-old Mellissa Mickle, 22-year-old Keron Williams, 35-year-old Robert Lee and 20-year-old Makena Alleyne all received their scholarships. Two will be studying at two of China’s top universities.

China’s Ambassador to Guyana, H.E Yang Yang, said nearly 100 Guyanese students have benefited from the programme over the years. Through this platform, many young talents from Guyana have pursued studies at leading Chinese universities, gaining access to world-class academic resources, advanced laboratory facilities, and exposure to cutting-edge research. She said the scholarship has become a flagship initiative in China’s international educational and cultural cooperation over the years.

Addressing the recipients, the ambassador said, “You’ve worked hard, and now a new chapter of opportunity awaits you. Your success reflects not only your personal efforts, but also the growing bond between our two nations.”

The ambassador added that upon their return, students will make valuable contributions across a wide range of fields; with the knowledge and insights acquired in China. She said the students will continue to serve as bridges between the two nations, actively promoting mutual understanding, cultural exchange, and lasting friendship.

“All scholarship awardees’ achievements reflect not only individual excellence, but also the growing strength of people-to-people ties between China and Guyana. You are becoming the ambassadors of dialogue and mutual learning between our two civilisations — you are the builders, contributors, and advocates of the China-Guyana partnership,” Yang said.

In 2024 alone, more than 200 Guyanese professionals took part in short-term training programmes in China, organised through bilateral and multilateral cooperation frameworks. These programmes covered a broad spectrum of areas from healthcare and agriculture to artificial intelligence and e-commerce aligning closely with Guyana’s national development priorities and capacity-building needs.

“We warmly encourage more young Guyanese to take part in the China-Guyana scholarship and training programmes — to explore China, understand China, and build lasting friendships with the Chinese people,” the ambassador said.

Doctor Singh, during his address, marked the event as a celebration for the students and Guyana’s relationship with China.

“This ceremony is more than just formality. It is a celebration of excellence, ambition, the deepening of a partnership between two nations, Guyana and China, united, not only by diplomatic ties, but by the shared commitment to health, education and youth development,” Singh said.

He added “to our doctors, today you stand on the threshold of an incredible journey, you carry with you not just the stethoscope and textbooks, but the hopes of a beautiful nation. You are going to sharpen your skills and deepen your knowledge. You are going as ambassadors of Guyanese resilience, intellect and compassion.”

Singh encouraged the recipients to remember their support system and to retune to their communities to help contribute to betterment and development, especially for the persons from the hinterland regions.

Williams who hails from Port Kaituma, Region one, said his community is very small and life there has taught him the value of determination, resilience and community support, nothing that access to higher learning opportunities is limited in his region. He mentions that receiving this scholarship is not just a personal achievement but is a step forward for every young person in his community who dreams of doing more.

“From an early age, I aspired to become a doctor. That dream was shaped by seeing the challenges my people face when it comes to health care. This scholarship gives me a chance to study medicine in China and to learn from world class institutions and return equipped to serve the people of Guyana, especially those in remote areas, areas like the one I am from,” Williams said.

He also expressed gratitude to his family, teachers, friends and his community who encouraged him through tough times and believing in him which fueled his commitment to work hard, to excel and to represent Guyana.

Alleyne, from East Ruimveldt described her emotions as grateful, humble, honored, hopeful, and empowered. She shared that upon completion of her bachelor’s degree last July, she had a conversation with her parents about her career path, “and one thing for certain I have always known, and I still know without a doubt, that I want to become a doctor,” she said.

“When I arrive in China, I plan to immerse myself fully in both my studies and in my community like I have here in Guyana, academically, I want to excel, I want to be the best, I want to excel in medicine and learn from some of the best minds in the field, with cutting edge technology,” Alleyne shared.

She said upon her return to Guyana with the knowledge and skills acquired, she aspires to become a highly competent and compassionate doctor in Guyana. Beyond the classroom, she intends to continue building bridges between Guyana and China, sharing her culture with those she meets while learning from theirs.

Persaud, who hails from the Essequibo Coast said, “My journey to this point has been shaped by our experience, education and the belief that education can transform not only individual lives, but entire communities. Coming from humble beginnings, I have learned to work hard, aim high and never lose sight of the responsibility I hope to contribute to our growth.”

He said that at only 18 years old and being able to study at one of the top universities in China, would place him at the heart of excellence in learning, innovation and cultural exchange.

“I am both honored and inspired to represent Guyana in this important chapter of our nation’s strong and unwavering partnership,” Persaud said.

The teen will approach this chapter with deep commitment towards his major ‘Electrical Engineering. He intends to study with outmost seriousness to push him academically and personally and to return with extensive knowledge and skills that can help Guyana’s technological and economic development nationwide and inevitably strengthen the everlasting bond with China.

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• academic studies, ceremony, Chinese, Guyanese, scholarships

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