China funds new language center

The International Language and Culture Center at Kenyatta University broke ground on March 15 in Nairobi. The center, which receives support from China, is expected to enhance Sino-Kenya relations and strengthen the university's language research ability and collaboration with other institutes.

Liu Xianfa, Chinese ambassador to Kenya, and Olive Mugenda, vice-chancellor at the university, participated in the ceremony.

The center will house the Confucius Institute, the Institute of Africa Studies, local and foreign language laboratories and an international cultural center. Funded by interest free credit from the Chinese government, the center will cost 1.2 billion Kenyan shillings ($1.18 million) according to Mugenda.

Liu says the center "will surely become another example of our solid and deep friendship" between China and Kenya.

Referring to the center as a "happy bond" between the two countries, he says it will "help Kenyan youth get to know every aspect of Chinese society through learning the Chinese language" and "help the Chinese people understand Kenya more, so as to promote in-depth communication between the two countries".

Mugenda said: "Once complete, Kenyatta University International Language and Cultural Center will expand and combine teaching and testing of different languages with research and professional service provision, including the accreditation and translation. "

She said the center would also enhance linkage and collaboration with other institutions all over the world.

Over the past few decades, China has provided lots of no-strings-attached economic aid to Kenya.

In education, China has built three primary schools in Kenya. One of the schools was delivered in Taita-Taveta county about three weeks ago. The China-aided Sino-Africa Joint Research Center at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology is under construction, and will be completed by August.

Construction of the Confucius Institute Building at the University of Nairobi will be started in the near future, according to the Chinese ambassador.

The International Language and Cultural Center covers an area of 10,560 square meters with a building area of 7,526 square meters. Fujian Construction Engineering Company is to complete the center in 18 months.

houliqiang@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily Africa Weekly 03/18/2016 page2)