Nepali Minister for Education, Science and Technology Giriraj Mani Pokharel addresses the awarding ceremony in Kathmandu, Nepal, Aug. 27, 2018. Around 160 Nepali students will study in Chinese universities for the 2018-2019 academic year under the Chinese government scholarship program. (Xinhua/Sunil Sharma)

KATHMANDU, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) -- Around 160 Nepali students will study in Chinese universities for the 2018-2019 academic year under the Chinese government scholarship program.

Amid the Awarding Ceremony of Chinese Government Scholarships organized in the capital on Monday by the Chinese Embassy and Confucius Institute at Kathmandu University, admission letters were presented to the students amid the presence of their family members.

The awarded students will study bachelors, masters, and doctor's degrees at Chinese universities in various faculties including engineering, medicine, business, communication and Chinese language, among others.

Addressing the function, Nepali Minister for Education, Science and Technology Giriraj Mani Pokharel said that Chinese scholarship is very important to generate skilled Nepali manpower.

"Chinese high-tech knowledge will enable Nepali students to be capable manpower who can highly contribute to the country's development," Pokharel said.

Stating that cooperation on education sector will enhance people-to-people relationship between the two countries, the minister expressed hope that it will further help Nepal to achieve its goal of "Prosperous Nepal, happy Nepali."

Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Yu Hong said that China has provided more than 6,400 scholarships to Nepali students till date.

Noting that youth exchange programs are an important aspect of China's Belt and Road Initiative, she said the youths can work as a bridge between the two countries.

"It is an opportunity for you to gain knowledge and new skills and to contribute to social development of your country," Yu said.

On the occasion, Nepali students who have received Chinese degrees under scholarship programs shared their experiences and appreciated the Chinese education system and cultural richness.

"Chinese education changed my life and I believe it will change the life of other Nepali students too. Young students should utilize this opportunity," said Sarbottam Shresha, a former student at a Chinese university and chairman of Nepal's Arniko Society, an alumni association of scholars and experts who have graduated from China.

The scholarship winning students will get free education along with free accommodation at renowned universities in China.

Expressing gratitude to the Chinese government, scholarship winning students expressed the hope that the Chinese education would be crucial to shaping up their career.

Devraj Aryal, who will be studying Master's degree in international communications at the Communication University of China, told Xinhua that "I am hopeful that the Chinese degree will enhance my professional career in the future."