BY PHUMELELE GAMEDZE
MBABANE– Acting Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla has challenged the latest group of emaSwati students awarded Indian scholarships to remain committed to academic excellence and return home ready to contribute to the country’s development.
Speaking during the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Scholarship Award Ceremony on Friday, the Deputy Prime Minister congratulated the successful students for earning the prestigious scholarships and encouraged them to seize the opportunity with determination and discipline. The event was also attended by Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Senator Pholile Shakantu, Minister of Education and Training Owen Nxumalo, India’s High Commissioner H.E. N. Ram Prasad, parents and invited guests.
Dladla urged the students to remain focused throughout their studies, strive for excellence and become ambassadors of Eswatini while living abroad. She encouraged them to make their families proud and use the knowledge they gain to improve the lives of their communities after completing their studies.
She said education remains one of the country’s greatest investments and expressed confidence that the scholarship recipients would play an important role in advancing Eswatini’s future development.
India’s High Commissioner H.E. N. Ram Prasad echoed the Deputy Prime Minister’s message, announcing that 41 emaSwati students had secured scholarships this year compared to 31 last year. He said the increase reflects the strengthening partnership between India and Eswatini in developing human capital through education.
The High Commissioner reminded the students that they had earned the scholarships through merit after competing against hundreds of applicants and encouraged them to embrace India’s diverse learning environment while preparing themselves to become future leaders and professionals.
Former India scholarship beneficiary Muzi Mhlongo motivated the students by sharing his personal experience of studying in India. He advised them to keep an open mind, embrace different cultures and make lifelong friendships while pursuing their academic goals.
The scholarship programme continues to strengthen educational cooperation between India and Eswatini while creating opportunities for young emaSwati to acquire internationally recognised qualifications that support the country’s long term development aspirations.
#EducationForAll #IndiaScholarships #Eswatini #YouthExcellence
