Colombo, Jul 12 (IANS): Fifteen Sri Lankan university students were awarded scholarships by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) to pursue higher studies on climatology and oceanography in a bid to strengthen the education ties between the two countries.

The scholarships were handed over on Wednesday under the "Belt and Road" Master Fellowship Programme, reports Xinhua news agency.

The programme was operated by the China-Sri Lanka Joint Centre for Education and Research (CSL-CER).

This is the third year that the CAS has awarded scholarships to Sri Lankan university students.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony, professor Gamini Senanayake, vice chancellor of the University of Ruhuna, said it was vital that Sri Lankan students pursue their higher studies in oceanography.

However, Sri Lanka lacked the human resources to explore the opportunities of the ocean.

"Being a very friendly nation, China has always helped us in various fields and especially the Chinese Academy of Sciences has a very big programme ongoing with Sri Lanka. We thank them for that as it benefits our students," Senanayake said.