The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development covers 17 goals, the fourth of which is “quality education”, namely: Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning.  (Click here for details)

Under this major goal, there are 10 targets, the ninth of which is "By 2020, substantially expand globally the number of scholarships available to developing countries, in particular least developed countries, small island developing States and African countries, for enrolment in higher education, including vocational training and information and communications technology, technical, engineering and scientific programmes, in developed countries and other developing countries".

● Current Situation

About the World

Scholarships Mainly Supported by Governments

Photo source: sohu.com

The purpose of scholarship program is to provide opportunities for those who wish to further their studies in the fields of education, natural sciences, social and human sciences, culture, communication and information. They may become qualified talents through learning and training. In 2018, the total value of scholarships provided by donor governments to support the educational development of recipient countries is about 3.5 billion RMB. Scholarships to students in sub Saharan Africa are mainly supported by governments. China is the largest provider, providing more than 12, 000 opportunities a year. 

Text source: csdp.edu.cn

About China

China Actively Providing Supports to Other Developing Countries 

In September 2015, President Xi Jinping announced that by 2020 China would offer 120,000 training opportunities, 150,000 scholarships and 500,000 occupational training for developing countries. These opportunities and scholarships includes consultation and training on human resources, development planning and economic policies, especially for the least developed countries, small island countries and African countries. The policy strengthened cooperation and assistance in science, technology and education. 

Text and photo source: Xinhua News Agency 

●  Cases

About the World

L'Oréal-UNESCO Maghreb Fellowships for Women in Science 

Photo source: sina.com

Established in 2017, the Fellowships aims to distinguish young women researchers for the quality of their works and to encourage them to pursue a brilliant career in science. This program determines and rewards young talented female researchers in the Life Sciences (biology, biochemistry, genetics, physiology, biotechnology, ecology, biochemistry) and the Physical Sciences (physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, information sciences, earth and universe sciences). 

Text source: unesco.org

About China

Great Wall Program

Great Wall Program is a full scholarship established in 1994 by the Ministry of Education of China and  the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to sponsor students and scholars in developing countries to study and conduct research in China.

Photo source: news.ecnu.edu.cn

The Great Wall Program is an example of safeguarding multilateralism with practical actions and has made important contributions to promoting academic development and human resource capacity in developing countries. The Program reflects the Chinese government's emphasis on international education and scientific cooperation, and the beneficiary countries have strengthened their capacity-building. The Great Wall Program has sown the seeds of friendship. Students receiving the scholarship have built bridges of cultural exchanges and mutual learning between different countries.

Text source: moe.gov.cn

●  Background

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Initiated by the United Nations

On January 1, 2016, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including 169 targets, of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development — adopted by world leaders in September 2015 at an historic UN Summit — officially came into force. Countries will mobilize efforts to end all forms of poverty, fight inequalities and tackle climate change, while ensuring that no one is left behind.