In Somalia, the Chinese embassy recently awarded scholarships to scores of top-performing students. They're set to study medicine, engineering and other fields at universities across China. CGTN's Abdulaziz Billow caught up with some of them and filed this report.

Forty-one students from top schools in Somalia have been awarded with scholarship opportunities by the Chinese government to study in some of the top universities in China. Government officials and diplomats from the Chinese embassy in Mogadishu flagged off the students at a colourful ceremony held in Mogadishu. The learning opportunities were awarded to top students who did well in the 2017 national examinations carried out in all of the country's six regional states including Mogadishu.

WANG PANGCHARGE D'AFFAIRES, CHINESE EMBASSY IN SOMALIA "This year is of utmost importance to China Africa and China Somalia relations. A new chapter of China Somalia friendship has been opened - we have full confidence in its future. In 2015 - there were 1320 Somali students studying in China including 140 supported by Chinese government's scholarships."

For these students, studying in China was always their dream - Abdikhadar Abdullahi wants to be a medical doctor in the near future- he was awarded the scholarship after emerging as the top student in 2017 - he will now spend six years in China before becoming a professional doctor.

ABDIKHADAR ABDULLAHISCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT "I am going to study at a university in Shanghai, China. I will begin my studies in medicine from 2018 -2024 and return back home to make a difference as a professional doctor."

The scholarships are part of the ongoing investment China is making in African education.

NADIR DAHIRSCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT "I am grateful for this opportunity to study in China - I am also looking forward to learning Mandarin language - and have a great time studying abroad."

ABDIRAHMAN JABIRSTATE MINISTER OF EDUCATION, SOMALIA "We are grateful as a government that you are on the path to realizing your full potentials. Your parents are happy that you will benefit them after completing your studies abroad. This is a golden opportunity and you should all make good use of this educational scholarship."

China is among Somalia's key development partners - earlier this week - Somali president met with his Chinese counterpart - on the sidelines of the just concluded FOCAC Summit where Somalia signed a memorandum of understanding with China to join the Belt and Road Initiative.

ABDULAZIZ BILLOWMOGADISHU, SOMALIA "Somalia is seeking to benefit from the $60 billion dollar pledge announced this week in Beijing by China's president Xi Jinping. It's also seeking China's support and expertise in various fields including economic and technical cooperation as the Horn of African nation seeks to rebuild itself after decades of war."

Mogadishu also hopes that Beijing will assist in the restoration of major landmarks including the biggest national stadium and the country's national theater that were among key Chinese projects badly ruined during the years of conflict. AB, CGTN, MOG -SOM.