WINDHOEK, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- The notion of embarking on an airplane as well as leaving the borders of Namibia for the first time to advance her educational qualification in China, is one of the highlights for 26-year-old Leena Nambinga, who is one of the 57 beneficiaries of the Chinese funded scholarships.

At a farewell ceremony hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Namibia, Nambinga could not hide her excitement, in what she explained to Xinhua as "a dream come true."

"I am still in awe. I had never imagined that I would make the cut and be able to travel outside the country let alone Africa to pursue my studies further in China," she said.

Nambinga shrugged off fierce competition from 299 other applicants, and will soon enroll for her Master's degree in professional accounting at the Shanghai National Accounting Institute.

"As much as I am thrilled to go advance my education, I am equally eager to learn more about the Chinese language and culture and hopefully when I complete my program, I will be able to come plough back all the knowledge and experience to advance the country's developments," she said.

Speaking at the ceremony, Chinese ambassador to Namibia, Zhang Yiming said this year the total number of students accepted to the universities reached a record high with six out of the selected students set to pursue their studies at the prestigious Peking University.

"This is a marvelous record achievement," he said, highlighting that China always spares no efforts to people-to-people training and capacity building.

Like Nambinga, another student, 23-year-old Veino Shaumbwa had not traveled abroad once and the opportunity to further his studies in China via the scholarships came as a blessing.

Shaumbwa will travel to China next week to pursue a Masters Degree in environmental science, which is one of the high priority areas of study that are vital to the southwestern African nation.

"I am grateful for this opportunity as this is an important milestone in my career. The studies hopefully will enable me to come back and implement programs or projects that can assist with environmental issues in my country," he said.

Addressing the students at the send-off ceremony, Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund, Chief Executive Officer, Kennedy Kandume urged the students to consider themselves lucky to be graced by the opportunity.

"Please use the opportunity to study and work hard not only academically but also on how things work in life. Explore other areas that are not in your field, because these scholarships are an eye-opener. And please adhere to the law and stay within the objectives and mission of the scholarships," he urged.

One of the beneficiaries of the program, who is no stranger to China, Brumelda English will embark on a second visit to China.

"I can not wait to go back. Last year I had an opportunity to attend 3-week workshop in Beijing and what I experienced during that period left me wanting more," she said.

English will pursue her Masters in Communications in Beijing. She said she is grateful to have clinched the scholarship.

"I will yet again experience the Chinese culture, infrastructural developments and I hope my country will be able to emulate what China has achieved," she said, adding that during her 10-month program she is definitely going to learn the Chinese language to better her communication skills.

Zhang Yiming said, apart from Namibian students' increased interest in pursuing studies in China, on-going and to be held events will see more than 300 Namibians attend bilateral and multilateral training courses.