China on Tuesday handed over a US$8.9 million dollar vocational college to Ethiopia.

Located at the eastern suburb of the capital Addis Ababa, the model China-aided college comprises 14 buildings.

At the handover ceremony, Chinese Ambassador Lin Lin said the Chinese government will further strength its cooperation in the education sector.

Lin expressed appreciation to what he described as "strident growth" in Ethiopia's education development program.

For his part, Ethiopia's Education Minister Sintayehu Wolde- michael said skilled and trained human power is vital for the fast growing economy of the country.

He said the construction of the college is expected to significantly contribute to development in the country.

Sintayehu said the Ethiopian government eyes at ensuring quality of education, equipping citizens with knowledge, democratic thinking and ethics.

The number of vocational institutions in the last few years has grown from 17 to 19, excluding privately owned, the Ethiopian minister said, and added currently 173 students enrol in the institutions.

(Xinhua News Agency October 10, 2007)