Sudan offers scholarships to over 500 Kenyan students

Sudan has increased its scholarship offer to Kenyan students to 550 including 30 slots for the study of oil-related programmes in Sudanese universities.

The scholarship programme has been in place since 2012 to deepen the bilateral relations of the two countries, Sudanese Ambassador to Kenya Elsadig Abdalla Elias told the media over the weekend in Nairobi.

“We believe the best thing to give to a developing nation is education. It is the best tool for developing oneself, family and the country … We are receiving and reviewing applications and whoever qualifies, we will accommodate them,” Ambassador Elias was quoted by Kenyan media Daily Nation.

The scholarship programme started in 2012 with 200 slots which was raised to 400 in 2015 and 550 this year for the studies in medicine, pharmacy, agriculture and technology.

Kenya mediated in the ceasefire deal that later led to the end of the civil war between Sudan and South Sudan and then the latter’s secession and independence in 2011.

Kenya and Sudan’s relations were strained briefly after a Kenyan court issued an arrest warrant to Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir in 2011 after the 2010 International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant.

The relationship was restored later with the issuing of scholarships to Kenyan students in 2012, Sudan’s huge import of Kenya’s tea among other bilateral agreements.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta met with about 800 Kenyan students in Khartoum last year during an official visit where he encouraged them to enroll more in oil and mining courses.

“There is a lot we can learn from Sudan especially in oil and gas and mining. You are here as our Ambassadors. Continue promoting our good name,” Kenyatta said.