A number of Jamaican students who have applied for scholarship to study in China ahead of the discovery of the novel coronavirus in Wuhan are still eager to do so, according to the Chinese embassy in Jamaica.
Only numbers for 2018 to 2020 were said to be “readily available”, showing that, in total, the Government of Jamaica (GOJ) spent US$280,444 to cover stipends for scholarship students in China for that period.
Data from the Scholarships and Assistance Unit show that, as at the 2019 calendar year, there are 44 Jamaican scholarship students in China benefiting from arrangements between the Chinese embassy in Jamaica or the China Aide programme.
With the landscape now altered by COVID-19, the Jamaican Government will have to determine the way forward, financially, for students whose period of study is impacted by the pandemic.
“Given that the COVID-19 outbreak is now a pandemic, the GOJ will continue to have regular dialogue through diplomatic channels with the Chinese Government as to the appropriate course(s) of action, and where possible, will provide support to ensure the safety and security of the students affected,” was the response to a question on the impact any delay would have on financial assistance provided.