The Embassy of Algeria in Ghana has celebrated the National Day of Algeri­an Students to commemorate a defining chapter in Algeria's long struggle for independence.May 19, every year marks the National Day of Algerian Students, a day that stands as a profound tes­tament to the patriotism, sacrifice and courage of the youth during one of the most turbulent periods in Algeria's history.Speaking at an evening recep­tion organised by the Embassy in Accra, the Algerian Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Mourad Louhaidia paid glowing tribute to Algeri­an students and youths for their national commitment, creative and innovative skills contributing to the country's fight against colonial rule.Algeria, he said has achieved notable progress in education, literacy rates with the rise in higher education sector with universities and institutes established nation­wide."As an African nation strongly committed to panafricanism and real solidarity in Africa, Algeria gave chance to tens of thousands of African students to study for free in Algeria since the sixties and seventies."Today, we have 2762 African students graduating in Algeria's universities and benefiting from the Algerian government scholarships, among them more than 90 are Ghanaians," Mr Louhaidia said.Reflecting the long-standing friendship, solidarity and coopera­tion relations with Ghana, Algeria, he said, had offered scholarships to Ghanaians students every year since decades adding that the scholarship programme embodied the solidarity that always existed between Ghana and Algeria.Many hundreds of Ghanaians were graduated in Algeria since the launching of the scholarship program many decades ago.These Ghanaians, the Algerian envoy said were currently part of the high skilled human resources of Ghana, participating in the development efforts of the country and I am very pleased that around 30 of them are present this evening with us on the occasion of this small celebration.According to him, Algeria last year, awarded 45 scholarships to Ghana, and in the beginning of last month of March, 28 Ghanaian students joined their universities in Algeria.

We had a very fruitful meeting with the Registrar of the Secretariat of scholarships and we are working together to develop this program during the next years.The scholarships that the Alge­rian government has been offering for long time to Ghana and the other African countries was inter­esting because it includes a lot of benefits like free accommodation, free food, free transport and free access to public health facilities and social insurances.The President of the Associa­tion of Ghanaian Students in Al­geria, Ms Memuna Birago Nuamah said their collaboration with the Al­gerian Embassy in the celebration reflected more than just ceremony, but unity, shared purpose, and the enduring bonds of international education."It reminds us that education has no borders, and the friend­ships formed through academic exchange can grow into lifelong partnerships that strengthen both nations,As AGSA Alumni, we are committed to supporting the development of young minds and contributing meaningfully to our societies.

We will continue to work closely with the Embassy and other stakeholders to ensure the legacy of international education bears fruit for generations to come. BY NORMAN COOPER