IN the year since she completed her bachelor's degree in production management at the University of Technology, Keisha Atterbury has been trying to find a way to advance her studies.

She finally received the call that will make that happen last month. Atterbury is one of seven Jamaicans who have earned scholarships to study at universities in China this year.

The scholarships were awarded to master's and bachelor's students by the Chinese Government at an official handing over ceremony, held at the Chinese ambassador's residence in Kingston.

Along with Atterbury, the group includes Jhodi Bennett, Tashay Wright, Gleniece Irving, Gayson Phillips, Karaleise Johnson, and Gabriel Telfer.

"This was a good opportunity for me and I was successful and I am happy. Now I will go and see what China has to offer and to do my best to accomplish my master's [degree] which I am going to do," said Atterbury, who will study logistics engineering and management.

The scholarships, which have been distributed since 2007, is open to persons in the fields of science, medicine, and engineering.

Political counsellor at the Chinese Embassy Xia GuoShun encouraged the scholars to make good use of the opportunity to accomplish their educational goals.

He noted that the scholarships come at a special time, as while Jamaica is celebrating 50 years of Independence, it has been 40 years since China and Jamaica established diplomatic relations.

"Chinese people want to learn from Jamaicans and Jamaicans also want to learn from the Chinese, so it is a channel for us to learn from each other," he said.

He added that the Chinese Government has provided more than 100 scholarships to Jamaican students to study in China over the years.

"Obviously, education is a very important part in the two countries up to now and I do believe the students here today will be good messengers between the two countries," he said.