On August 14, Ambassador Ma Qiang attended the 2026 Chinese Ambassador’s Scholarship award ceremony held at the University of Juba. Hon. Prof. John Apuruot Akec, Vice Chancellor of the University of Juba, and more than 40 participants, including the leadership of the University and representatives of the award-winning students, were present.

Ambassador Ma congratulated all award-winning students, noting that since its establishment in 2021, the Chinese Ambassador Scholarship has provided financial support to more than 100 outstanding yet underprivileged students in the University of Juba. He hoped that the students can excel in studies, shoulder the responsibility of building South Sudan and giving back to society, and deepen their understanding on China, becoming messengers of cultural exchanges, inheritors of friendship, and promoters of relations between the two countries.

Hon. Prof. John Apuruot Akec expressed gratitude for China’s long-standing support for the University of Juba and stated that the University would continue to strengthen cooperation to cultivate more outstanding talents for the cause of friendship between South Sudan and China.

The recipient students expressed their appreciation for China's generous support, stating that they would move forward with the courage and hope given by China, cherish this opportunity, and contribute their own strength to the development of South Sudan and the friendship between South Sudan and China.