By XAVIER MANCHISHI
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THE Government of Ireland has granted educational scholarships to eight Zambians to pursue their postgraduate studies in Ireland and regional universities under the Fellowship Training Programme (FTP).
The eight fellows selected from across the country will pursue studies ranging from development studies, social policy, education, nutrition and health, and agriculture education.
The award is closely aligned to Zambia’s country priorities and will support capacity building in areas of community development, education, nutrition and health, agriculture and social policy.
Irish Ambassador to Zambia Finbar O’Brien congratulated the fellows and reiterated that the fellowship programme is aimed at increasing knowledge of staff in Government and civil society organisations.
‘‘The FTP aims to increase the specialist knowledge of staff working in Government ministries and in civil society organisations in Ireland’s partner countries.
‘‘It does this by providing scholarships to mid-career professionals to study postgraduate or Masters courses in Ireland or in universities within their own region,’’ Mr O’Brien said.
The fellows are from the ministries of Community Development, Mother and Child Health, Education, Science and Vocation Training and Early Education and Agriculture and cooperatives.
Five of the fellows will study at various universities in Ireland, with the remaining three studying one each in Kenyan, Tanzanian and Zambian universities respectively.
On behalf of the successful applicants, Esther Ng’ambi thanked the Irish Government for the opportunity accorded to the fellows to further their education.
‘‘We wish to thank your Excellency, the Irish Ambassador to Zambia for having accorded us this opportunity. We promise to work extra hard during our studies and return to Zambia to contribute to Zambia national development using our newly acquired skills and knowledge,’’ Ms Ng’ambi said.