by Kennedy Nyavaya
Jacaranda Culture and Media Corporation (JCMC) has inked a deal with Nanjing University of the Arts in China, which will see the latter giving 10 full scholarships to theatre artistes produced by the former this year, the Standard Style has learnt.
JCMC are the organisers of the annual Dream Star talent show that has in the past facilitated scholarships for their participants to the Asian country with a total of eight currently studying there courtesy of the programme.
In a recent interview, the university’s commissioner special assistant to the dean Jianming Zhou said the move was meant to enhance China’s multi-layered relationship with Zimbabwe as well as upgrade the school to a more international status.
“For us working with international students is a way of cultural exchange and fusion of cultures together, so it is one of the things we enjoy and part of the strategies for the school to be more international,” said Zhou, who applauded the determination of foreign students.
“The international students do not only come here to learn Chinese but they also impart their language to locals so there is a platform for that (and) such a cultural exchange is more important than the economy because the people get to understand and help each other better.”
The year-long bursary, open for possible renewal next year, will see JCMC sending 10 of their best candidates to study theatre arts even without academic qualifications.
“We are going to talk to people and see how we are going to do it and I wish this project continues not only for one year because they will also be helping Zimbabwe to do our own cultural shows at the end,” JCMC founder and boss Steve Zhao said.
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“I am so happy and I really feel as the founder of Dream Star that this has been great progress for us as we are now getting more support.”
JCMC, in partnership with China Africa Economic and Cultural Exchange Research Centre (CAECERC), has, though their Dream Star project, been facilitating education opportunities for local artistes since establishment in 2014.
