Language bridges cultures, expands career prospects

"The question is no longer, 'Why should I study Chinese?' Instead, it has become, 'How can I benefit from Chinese in my future career?'"

That shift, expressed in the words of Rehab Mahmoud, director of the Confucius Institute at Cairo University, points to the profound transformation of Chinese language education in Egypt over the past three decades.

Having chosen to study Chinese herself in 1988, when it was still regarded as a "specialized language" with few takers, Mahmoud has witnessed firsthand how the field has grown into a popular and practical choice for thousands of Egyptian students.

Today, more than 30 Egyptian universities offer Chinese departments, and dozens of secondary schools have introduced Chinese as an elective. She has attributed this surge to the tremendous development in Egyptian-Chinese relations at the political, economic, cultural and educational levels, which has fueled the demand for Egyptians who can communicate in Chinese and understand the society behind the language.

As the first Confucius Institute in Egypt and North Africa, the Cairo University institute has earned the title of "Global Model Confucius Institute". For Mahmoud, who has been honored with a commemorative medal and an appreciation plaque for her efforts, the achievement cannot be represented by any single award.

Rather, she pointed to the institute's impact on the lives of its students and on the growing relationship between the two countries as the key indicators of success.

The institute has expanded Chinese education through partnerships with schools, universities and other institutions — developing curricula, administering examinations, training teachers, and hosting cultural activities, including competitions, seminars, lectures, exhibitions and performances.

Crucially, Mahmoud stressed how culture is woven into learning: a Chinese language student should not only know how to construct a grammatically correct sentence, but also understand how Chinese people think and how they view history, society, values and culture.

Mahmoud said nurturing a generation of Egyptian Chinese-language specialists — teachers, translators, researchers and other professionals who now work with Chinese-related organizations — is a point of pride.

Mahmoud highlighted three main drivers of the rising demand of Chinese language students in Egypt. The first is the significant growth in economic and trade ties. China is now a major partner for Egypt, with Chinese companies and projects across many sectors, creating real demand for Chinese-speaking Egyptians.

Second, the increase in tourism and cultural-educational exchanges has made Chinese a vital tool in hospitality, aviation and tourism sectors, she said.

Third, and the most important, Mahmoud said, is how young Egyptians increasingly see Chinese as a competitive advantage. She noted that a student who graduates with a particular specialization and then adds Chinese to his or her skill set may find entirely different career opportunities — an engineer can work for a Chinese firm, a business graduate can enter the trade and import-export field, a tourism major can cater to Chinese visitors, and an IT specialist can collaborate with Chinese tech companies.

Thus, Chinese has become an additional skill that complements a student's academic specialization rather than a disconnected subject, she added.

Looking ahead, Mahmoud is committed to localizing Chinese language education — not simply translating textbooks, but developing content tailored to Egyptian students' age, environment, culture and educational system.

As Egypt and China mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year, Mahmoud said that the past seven decades have demonstrated that China-Egypt relations are not limited to political and economic ties, but are also characterized by deep human, cultural and educational connections.

For the Confucius Institute, the next phase should expand its role beyond language teaching into digital education, artificial intelligence, teacher training, curriculum research, student exchange and interuniversity cooperation, she said.

Looking ahead, Mahmoud urged more joint programs, more Egyptian students studying in China, and more Chinese students visiting Egypt. With its long experience, academic standing and extensive networks, she is confident the institute can play a pivotal role in this evolving landscape.

Mahmoud, who calls China her "second home", said language is the most important bridge connecting two peoples. When Egyptians learn Chinese — and when Chinese learn Arabic — they go beyond books and news to understand each other at a deeper level. "Language begins with a word, but it can lead to friendship, trust, and mutual understanding," she said.

That sentiment is mirrored by her students. Rawya Saed Abdelhamed, a fourth-year student, was inspired by a Chinese TV drama in high school to learn the language. She now plans to pursue master's and doctoral degrees to become a university teacher, with the aim of passing on the beauty of the Chinese language to more people.

Classmate Malak Tamer Mohamed, who took up Chinese after her parents suggested it, recalled her most memorable moment — meeting Chinese students on campus, speaking with them in Chinese, and sharing a meal together during her first year of college. She too aspires to become a Chinese teacher after further study in China.

For Mahmoud, these young voices are the living embodiment of her life's work. After more than 30 years, she said what has given her the greatest satisfaction is not simply that she learned Chinese, but that she has been able, even in a small way, to help more Egyptians discover China and more Chinese people discover Egypt.