Namibian students receive their diplomas at their graduation ceremony in Nantong Vocational University on June 18. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

A graduation ceremony for 39 Namibian students at Nantong Vocational University was held at the school's campus in Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province on June 18.

Simon N Indongo, first secretary of the Namibian Embassy to China, attended the ceremony, where he shared his life experiences and explained his country's educational policies to the graduates.

He said that he hopes the students would grasp any opportunities to improve themselves, to work hard and live a good life, as well as to devote themselves to the development of their home country.

Willy, a representative of the Namibian students, delivered a speech in fluent Mandarin. He said that he could not speak Mandarin upon his arrival in Nantong, but with the help of his Chinese teachers and peers, he has become used to life in the city.

He added that his leaving does not mean the end of his ties with Nantong, but a new beginning. He noted that he and his fellows will become envoys of the friendship between China and Africa to better facilitate cooperation.

A Jiangsu-Namibia vocational education cooperation forum was held after the graduation ceremony, during which representatives from both sides discussed new methods to boost the bilateral collaboration.

NTVU set up a vocational education center in southern Africa five years ago and has worked with the Namibian educational department to help Namibian students study in Nantong. To date, NTVU has cultivated more than 80 high-caliber workers from the country.