Kenyans get on fast track with Chinese

Confucius Institute courses in Nairobi pave way for students' advancement

A Confucius Institute that opened its doors to a handful of students in Nairobi little more than a decade ago has since put more than 5,000 through Chinese courses and paved the way for many graduates to further their studies in China.

"The institute has played a major role in teaching the Chinese language, enabling a platform for cultural exchanges between the two countries and creating a deeper understanding of China among the local population," said Li Jing, co-director of the Kenyatta University Confucius Institute in the Kenyan capital.

The institute was set up in 2009 by Kenyatta University and China's Shandong Normal University.

It has since grown to become what she termed a global platform for cultural exchange, Li said.

Paul Wainaina, the vice-chancellor at Kenyatta University, said he and his colleagues are keen to equip their students with skills in foreign languages, and the Confucius Institute offered them a perfect opportunity to attain this goal. The center has also been of help to the whole university community, not just the Confucius Institute students, he said.

Hellen Kiende, an official with the institute, said the center prides itself on providing a platform for collaboration between China and Kenya as well as for Chinese businesses and the Kenyan people.

"Currently, the Chinese government and Chinese businesspeople are playing a great role in transforming Kenya's economy and we are proud to be able to produce graduates who are able to work with our Chinese counterparts to this end," Kiende said.

"Our graduates have been working as employees, translators and administrators in areas like infrastructure development, the media and other Chinese businesses as a link between our two cultures."

Gideon Wafula, a former student at the institute who later received a scholarship to further his studies at Shandong Normal University and the Renmin University of China, said the institute gave him an opportunity to explore a new culture and open up his world view.

Job opportunities

"The job opportunities available for students at the Kenyatta University Confucius Institute are not just limited to language and culture but also include other areas like economics, scientific fields and politics," Wafula said.

"I studied Chinese politics and economics when I got the opportunity to further my studies in China."

Zhang Yijun, minister counselor at the Chinese embassy in Kenya, hailed the strides made by the institute since its establishment and assured the university that China is ready and willing to offer more support with scholarships for students and partnerships with the institute on a range of projects.

Wainaina said plans are on track to introduce more professional courses at the institute.

"We intend to introduce other courses like Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education degrees in the Chinese language," Wainaina said.

"By doing this, we will make it possible for the Chinese language and culture to be taught in our secondary schools by providing locally trained teachers who have been proficiently trained at our university."