admin
Paidamoyo Chipunza Senior Reporter
Zimbabwean students taking part in Chinese language and cultural studies under the University of Zimbabwe’s Confucius Institute continue to grow in numbers and scope, as the relationship between the two countries deepen, University of Zimbabwe vice-chancellor Professor Paul Mapfumo has said.
In a speech read on his behalf by pro vice-chancellor (academics) Professor Rosemary Moyana at a send-off ceremony for 30 students who will be going to China next month, Prof Mapfumo said this year, four different groups will be participating in the studies.
Previously, only students from the Faculty of Arts were selected for participation.
“These trips are not only educational, but also crucial in strengthening the existing Sino-Zimbabwe relations,” said Prof Mapfumo.
He said the first group going to China was for International Summer School students.
Under this programme, 19 students from the Confucius Institute and teaching sites will attend a one-month summer school at Shanghai Normal University.
Prof Mapfumo said participants for the programme included students from the faculty of Arts, Commerce, Social Studies and other students from Reekworth School, Chaplin High School and Midlands Christian College.
“In the past, only students from the Faculty of Arts used to go for the International Summer School, now with the growth and expansion of the Confucius Institute, more and more students from across faculties and secondary schools are now afforded an opportunity to participate in the summer school event,” said Prof Mapfumo.
He said in the second group, four students will be attending the international Chinese Bridge Competition slated for July and August.
“The Chinese Bridge Competition is a Chinese proficiency competition for foreign college students, which is a platform for our students to participate at an international level and exhibit their linguistic, artistic and proficiency skills in Chinese language,” said Prof Mapfumo.
He said the third group comprised of final year students who applied for short and long term scholarships to enhance their Chinese proficiency, while the fourth group consists of local Chinese teachers.
The teachers were drawn from the UZ Confucius Institute, Alexandra Park Primary School, Dominican Convent School, Chisipite Senior School and Management Training Bureau.
Prof Mapfumo said the programmes were in line with the UZ’s strategic plan (2019-2025) which seeks to internationalise the university.
“This collaboration, therefore, puts us in good stead to advance the internationalisation programme in pursuit of our grand objective to become more relevant to national and global socio-economic challenges,” said Prof Mapfumo.
Speaking at the same occasion, Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Guo Shaochun applauded the University of Zimbabwe for promoting cultural and educational exchanges between the two countries, saying the positive contribution impact positively on relations between the two countries.
He said the programmes were showing much more potential in the field of trade, investment, tourism, culture and education.
“Mastering the Chinese language is bound to promote your understanding of Chinese traditional culture and by understanding Chinese culture you would have understood the development paths of China today,” said Mr Guo.
Online Reporter