Leaders at eight historically Black colleges and universities and Chinese universities have teamed up to create 1,000 scholarships for exchange programs that will encourage educational study opportunities for students to study in China.

Presidents of several HBCUs met with the China Education Association for International Exchange Wednesday and signed an agreement acknowledging the 2013 announcement of the initiative by the Congressional Black Caucus and China's Vice Premier Liu Yandong.

"This collaboration between the Chinese government and HBCUs provides an excellent opportunity to enable our students to become competent in Chinese history and culture, and will significantly enhance their abilities to be successful global leaders throughout the world,” said Dr. David Wilson, president of Morgan State University, who is leading the delegation.

Tougaloo College, Morehouse College, Hampton University, Bowie State University, Spelman College, Morgan State University, Howard University and Xavier University of Louisiana are the schools participating the HBCU–Chinese University Collaboration.

“The first Chinese students enrolled at Howard in 1870, and we have had an enduring relationship for nearly 150 years. We look forward to expanding our strategic partnership with China," said Wayne A.I. Frederick, interim president of Howard University, in a statement.

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(Photo: Courtesy of HBCU/Chinese University Collaboration)