ADDIS ABABA- Ethiopia has granted scholarship for 40 South Sudanese medical practitioners who pursue their studies in different medical specializations, Ethiopian Ambassador in South Sudan Teferi Tadesse said.
According to him, Ethiopia had offered a scholarship package for 100 South Sudanese medical students. However, 40 applied for the scholarships of whom 30 were eligible to pursue their studies at 12 Ethiopian universities and medical colleges.
At the farewell ceremony held on Tuesday, Ambassador Teferi said, South Sudan’s peace and development is Ethiopia’s peace and development and “Ethiopia always holds the moral duty to support South Sudan” in all-rounded areas.
Ambassador Teferi said the specialty education the opportunity provided to South Sudanese medical practitioners is a testament of Ethiopia’s enduring commitment to assisting South Sudan in all development and capacity building endeavors. He further affirmed that Ethiopia will always avail itself to supporting South Sudan.
Advising the students, Ambassador Teferi said that they should feel at home in Ethiopia – their second home – and study hard and comeback being professionally ethical, skillful and competent to serve the people of South Sudan who hopefully awaits their medical support.
Health Minister of the Republic of South Sudan Dr. Riek Gai Kok on his part said that Ethiopia’s untold support to South Sudan in every aspect has been immense, the scholarship opportunity for South Sudanese medical students being only a fraction. He also said that the scholarship offered on prestigious specializations, some of which are rare and limited in number in the Ethiopian higher education learning institutions and some non-existent in South Sudan’s medical arena altogether, is an indication of how deeply seated the commitment the Ethiopian government has towards supporting South Sudan.
This year’s scholarship opportunity was granted for South Sudanese medical practitioners for the third time. Two rounds of similar opportunities were given some years back.
The Ethiopian Herald, October 31/2019
BY STAFF REPORTER
