Katsina State Government says it has so far sponsored 109 students to study medicine, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Bio-Technology in Egypt and China, under its special foreign scholarship programme.

Gov. Dikko Radda made the disclosure on Tuesday in Katsina, at the launch of the second batch of 68 students to study Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Bio-Technology in China.

He recalled that the first batch of 41 students were already at Nahda University, Egypt, studying Medicine and Surgery, adding that the students were those from poor background who attended public secondary schools in the state.

He recalled that government constituted a nine-man committee under the Chairmanship of the Deputy Governor, Faruk Lawal-Jobe and saddled it with the responsibility of screening best beneficiaries based on merit.

Radda revealed that computer-based tests were administered on the students in three areas; Medicine, Artificial Intelligence, and Bio-Technology.

“Where one best was selected from each of the 34 local government areas of the state,” he said.

According to him, on completion of studies, the Medical students are expected to play a vital role in addressing the manpower gap in the health sector.

“AI will address the contemporary trend where ICT is applied in various aspects of human endeavour, including creativity and e-governance.

“Bio-technology students will make significant impact in transforming the agriculture sector, especially the high-breed seeds, green-plant technology in tandem with the administration policy of revolutionising the agriculture sector,” he said.

He said government had conducted a thorough medical and moral screening to ensure that “they are medically fit and morally sound to go for the foreign scholarship.

“I have not influenced selection of any candidate. Because we want to give the opportunity to the children of the less privileged.

“Talents are in the villages, but not opportune to shine. That’s why we give them such opportunities in order to tap from their talents.

“We have paid in full, all their tuition fees, accommodation, feeding and other expenses for all the duration it will take them to be in China.”

The governor therefore urged the beneficiaries to be good ambassadors of their families, the state and the country in general while in China.

He said government would be getting periodic reports on their academic activities and moral behaviour, and would not hesitate to replace anybody found incapable.

Responding on behalf of their parents, Malam Lawal Sani and Malam Shitu Dodo, thanked the state government for initiating the programme mainly for children of the poor.

They charged the students to take advantage of the opportunity to excel and contribute their quota to the development of the state and the nation at large.

Musa Abubakar and Hafsat Hamisu, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked the government for initiating the programme.

They pledged to utilise the opportunity given to them by studying hard and exhibiting good behaviour while in foreign land. (NAN)