Francine Uwamahoro, a Rwandan International student at North China Electric Power University (NCEPU) in Beijing won the Chinese Government Outstanding International Student Scholarship Award.

Uwamahoro was among other four students endorsed by her University after the competitive process of evaluation and selection for the “2020-2021 Chinese Government Outstanding International Student Award.” 

“According to the relevant provisions of the notice on the recommendation of candidates for ‘Outstanding International Students’, through the application of students and the preliminary evaluation of the institute, it is proposed to recommend one of the following students to obtain the Outstanding International Students in 2020-2021 academic year,” NCEPU note to all international students reads apart. 

The Chinese Government Outstanding International Student Scholarship is a program set up by the Ministry of Education of China, aiming to inspire international students to study diligently and make progress in study life. 

The best student was selected based on different criterias, including being excellent in academic performance, having a strong learning and research capabilities and being active in participating in various cultural and social activities among others.  

As a student, pursuing bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Uwamahoro said that she has always dreamed of becoming engineer. 

“I always knew I wanted to be an engineer, I chose mechanical engineering because I think it covers enormous range of topics with many career opportunities. I believe that the different opportunities that come with an engineering degree are very important to me, and engineering career options and opportunities are so varied in different countries.” 

Uwamahoro has not only reached outstanding academic achievements at NCEPU, but has also made great contribution to the promotion of Rwandan culture and played a prominent role in many cultural exchange programs at her University and that of the Embassy cultural activities.

To win the Chinese Government Outstanding International Student Scholarship is an honor for me, she said. 

“I would like to thank the International Students Office of NCPEU for nominating me to participate in the competition with the high recommendation of my school (Energy, Power and Mechanical Engineering) for this national level prestigious award. Winning this award would not have been possible without the encouragement of my countrymates whom we live together here at the University,” she added. 

The university currently has 36 Rwandan students pursuing their studies in different courses majority of the engineering. It is one of the national project key university based in Beijing, under the Ministry of Education that specializes in polytechnic disciplines. 

Elsewhere, other Rwandan international students continue to perform well.  Recently, a 29 years old US-based Rwandan researcher, Prof. Aristide Gumyusenge, was appointed as a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the department of materials science, making him the only black faculty member in the department.