HARARE, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Eleven students from the Harare Polytechnic on Friday received scholarships under the China-Zimbabwe Friendship Scholarship program.

The scholarship program, which was started in 2020 under the mandate of the Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe, is facilitated by the China-Zimbabwe Exchange Center (CZEC), a private voluntary organization which seeks to contribute to the development of local communities.

The scholarships are funded by the Chinese community in Zimbabwe as part of giving back to local communities through Corporate Social Responsibility.

Speaking during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding entered between CZEC and the Harare Polytechnic for the provision of scholarships, CZEC Chairman Zhao Ke said the educational support by the Chinese community aims to make education accessible to all Zimbabweans.

"During the time when we were doing the research in Zimbabwe, we found out that at the moment, especially after COVID, lots of kids are getting problems from COVID, like economic problems, so we do feel that there are a lot of students that need help, so from 2020 we started this program," Zhao told Xinhua.

"So we are now going to universities, to colleges, to primary schools, and later on we are also going to high schools, trying to help the talented students to cover up the school fees, stationery, and help them to finish their studies," he said.

Tafadzwa Mudondo, Principal of the Harare Polytechnic, said the sponsorship will go a long way in supporting education and skills development.

"The knowledge which these students are going to gain through being sponsored will be very valuable to the nation," Mudondo said.

Ronald Mutore, a beneficiary of the scholarship and a Harare Polytechnic student, expressed his gratitude to CZEC for supporting local education. "I am really glad to have this scholarship and I am so grateful, " said Mudondo.

CZEC is currently offering support to students from four state universities, and has already started engaging the remaining state institutions. Apart from funding college education, the organization also offers tuition support to students from primary school.

CZEC is also engaged in facilitating and promoting various cultural exchange programs between Zimbabwe and China that include fashion shows and talent search competitions.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service