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On the afternoon of September 22nd 2022, Confucius Institute at Kenyatta University celebrated the mid-autumn festival. This is the second largest Chinese festival after the Spring Festival or what the world knows as the Chinese New Year festival. According to the Chinese lunar calendar, it falls on the 15th day of the eighth month and is celebrated all over Mainland China as well as in Taiwan and Hong Kong, with differing styles of celebrations depending on location. These festivities fall around harvest season when families gather for dinners, to share the joys of harvesting rice and many fruits. They also make and eat moon cakes.
This year’s celebration was graced by staff and students from Eagle Crest academy, KUCI board members, Kenyatta University lecturers, administrative staff and students of KUCI. The Multifunctional hall of the LCC building was filled with music, pomp, colour, cheers and celebrations as guests were treated to a taste of Chinese moon cakes, video presentations on the mid-autumn festival and Chinese traditional dance and music.
Speaking at the start of the function, KUCI Director Dr. Hellen Guantai said, she was happy to see a large student turn out as the event was important to the learning of Chinese culture. She said the incorporation of cultural knowledge in teaching Chinese Mandarin has proved helpful in producing all round Chinese language speakers at the Institute. She asked everyone to share good cheer and generosity as demonstrated by the Chinese people during mid-autumn celebrations.
In China when coming together with your family it is common to gift items to show appreciation. The most commonly gifted items during the Mid-Autumn Festival period are: moon cakes and tea (to accompany those delicious moon cakes). For KUCI, participants were treated to a fun lottery game where 20 people won random gifts, best of which was a Bluetooth wireless speaker.
The Director Eagle Crest Academy Mrs. Elizabeth Mayani thanked Kenyatta University administration for allowing her young Chinese leaners to visit and participate in the celebrations. She said her school had identified Chinese as a foreign language of necessity. She said her learners love the language and have been making great progress on it. The grade 4 & 5 learners demonstrated excellent mastery of the language by answering most of the questions during the Q & A section and bagged all prizes, outshining university students.
The festivities came to an end at 4:00 PM as guest’s sampled Chinese tea and ate moon cakes.
From left: Dr. Mirriam Osore KUCI board member, Mrs. Elizabeth Maiyani Director EagleCrest Academy, Dr. Elizabeth Andango KUCI board member, looking on from behind Dr. Mugure lecturer Kenyatta University, sampling moon cakes
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LAUNCH OF NEW PROFESSIONAL CHINESE LANGUAGE COURSE
Friday 25th June 2021, Kenyatta University and Shandong Normal University came together to witness another great millstone in their collaborative journey with the launch of the ‘China-Kenya Friendship Ambassador Training Programme’. Separated by a five (5) hour time difference, the two Universities headed by their individual Vice Chancellors led a team of over 250 participants to kick start the Professional course. After the call for application, the Confucius Institute processed very many applications from Kenya’s Ministry of Education, the Teacher’s Service Commission, Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development, KUCI Alumni and speakers of Chinese Language. Candidates were very excited to start the course.
The programme aims to equip learners with Chinese language speaking knowledge and promote educational resource sharing between the two Universities and by extension countries. It will also enhance the intercollegiate cooperation between Kenyatta University and Shandong Normal University
Fully funded by China’s Ministry of Education, the project takes a fully online mode. Right from the Launch ceremony to the graduation, all activities will be held online, this is in line with Kenya’s Ministry of Health Covid-19 guidelines. Classes shall as well be held on Saturdays only. The students shall be taught by Chinese and Kenyan lecturers and a panel of experts form the two University’s Schools of Education.
Speaking during the launch of the ceremony, Shandong Normal University’s Vice Chancellor Prof. Zhang Wenxin said he was happy to have received numerous delegations from Kenyatta University in Jinan China. He said over the years both institutions have had successful exchanges of both faculty and students. He was happy that since its establishment in 2008, the Confucius Institute has grown into one of the largest HSK/HSKK Centres and also boasts of having the largest number of Confucius Classrooms in Kenya. He said the programme is an important part of China’s One Belt One Road Education Action.
Kenyatta University’s Vice Chancellor Prof. Paul K. Wainaina officially launched the programme. As the Chief Guest, he thanked Shandong Normal University Vice Chancellor for the continual cordial partnership between the two universities that has grown beyond the Confucius Institute. He said over time collaborations are now being witnessed between the two university’s schools of Music, Business, Architecture, Medicine, Education and others. He was happy that it was as a result of such partnership that the Professional Course was being launched. He also said his office is ready to keep supporting all current forms of partnerships. Having played home to over 200 Chinese faculty members, he said he understands the importance of international exposure. The Vice Chancellor asked the students to take advatage of the free comprehensive training and learn the language so that they can better serve their employers. He said he was confident that the lecturers and panel of experts shall teach with outmost excellence as they all have a wealth of experience in their fields of study.
Other speakers and distinguished guests included Kenyatta University DVC Academic Prof. Paul Okemo, Dean School of Education Prof. Kisilu Kombo and Shandong Normal University’s Director Office of International Exchanges and Cooperation Prof. Zhou Lianyong, Dean School Of Education Prof. Ma Maoxiang among others.
Indeed it was a momentous occasion and the Institute’s two Directors couldn’t be prouder. The Local Director Dr. Hellen Guantai said a lot of work had gone into coming up with curriculum, selection and invitation to experts, marketing of the course and preparation for the launch ceremony. She said most of the work was done during the 2020 Cvoid-19 lockdown. She welcomed all qualified candidates to take advantage of the course and spread the good name of Confucius Institute. The Director also thanked faculty and staff at the Institute for their hard work.
Classes are set to kick off on 26th June 2021.
Kenyatta University Vice Chancellor Prof. Paul K. Wainaina chief guest of the event, give his speech.
Shandong Normal Unviersity Vice Chancellor Prof. Zhang Wenxin giving his speech.
Participants at the zoom meeting of the Official Launch.
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It is with pleasure on behalf of the Board of Confucius Institute members to thank Kenyatta University, Shandong Normal University and the Confucius institute Headquarters, Hanban for the establishment of the Institute. The establishment of the Institute was a major milestone towards strengthening the good relationship between Kenya and China. With joint efforts of Kenyatta University, Shandong Normal University and the Confucius Institute Headquarters, Hanban, the Confucius Institute at Kenyatta University will continue to expand and act as a bridge between Kenya and China.
The place of Chinese language and culture in global economy today cannot be over-emphasized. It is thus gratifying to note that Kenyatta University is amongst the pioneering institutions in this region to establish the Confucius institute.
PROF. LEONARD KISOVI
CHAIRMAN, BOARD OF CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE
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The Confucius Institute at Kenyatta University organized the 2021 Essay Writing Competition on February 15th. This was done in order to stimulate students' enthusiasm and interest in learning Chinese language. It also showed the learning achievements they had acquired so far. Many were excited at the opportunity as it gave them a platform to share not only their learning experiences but other touching stories as well. Themed "My Chinese Learning Story", the competition was divided into Chinese group and English group. English, because fresh learners of the language still at a basic level could only write essays in English.
KUCI Students awarded in a previous event.
As soon as the announcement of the event was released, it aroused an overwhelming cheer among the students and especially those that had participated before in the annual event. Most of them couldn’t wait to win the amazing prizes given to the best writers. Proud lecturers of the Institute were as well happy to receive over 60 submissions from the students who are currently attending online classes. Face to face learning and thus in person participation in the Essay Writing competition was not possible as directed by the Covid-19 MoH guidelines.
Some of the most interesting topics they wrote on included; their experience in learning Chinese Language, the health benefits of learning and practicing in Taiji (Martial Arts), the out of class experiences they had garnered that propelled their language acquisition among other interesting topics. Each work reflected the true feelings of the students, and a large number of excellent works had exquisite brushwork. In the words of Lecturer Wang Xin, the works were wonderful, vivid, and real and displayed a touching expression made in either English or Chinese. The Lecturers were thrilled with their student’s performance.
The prizes given included one first prize, two second prizes and three third prizes, four outstanding prizes and several participating prizes, all in line with the generous nature of Chinese culture where every participant gets the opportunity to win something. The first prize went to Eugene Teddy Makokha whose works will be published on the Confucius Institute Website. Congratulations to all participants and winners.
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In line with its Vision Statement ‘to be a dynamic inclusive and globally competitive center of excellence in the provision of quality education, training and research for sustainable development’ Kenyatta University put in a request through the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in Kenya, for the establishment of a Confucius Institute at Kenyatta University and the agreement was formally signed on 3rd December 2008. The Confucius Institute Headquarters, Hanban, China then appointed Shandong Normal University, China to implement the agreement. The Institute is mandated to teach Chinese Language and Culture, Chinese Fine Art, Chinese Sports and Games, Culinary Arts, Martial Arts, Business and Tourism Chinese, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Confucius Philosophy and Other programs that may be developed in the future.
The progress of the Chinese Language and Culture programs has been steady. The Institutes pioneer students graduated in July 2010. In addition, the University senate also agreed to offer a beginners’ course In Chinese Language and Culture at a subsidized rate to bonafide Kenyatta University students and a proficiency in Chinese Language course to Kenyatta University members of staff at a subsidized fee. In June 2016, the senate approved the Diploma in Chinese Language and Culture making it possible for students to study Chinese at a higher level than before. Plans are underway to start a Degree Program in Chinese Language and Literature in due course
Thus the Confucius Institute is currently offering four (4) programs as follows
• Beginners program in Chinese Language and Culture
• Proficiency in Chinese Language and Culture
• Certificate in Chinese Language and Culture
• Diploma in Chinese Language and Culture
At the moment, the institute is planning to include additional Chinese Programmes to include Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate degrees. The Bachelor’s Degree Curricula is currently being developed. In addition, the Institute proposes to establish a number of Confucius classrooms which should become centers of excellence and models for Chinese Language teaching in local primary and secondary schools. In collaboration with Kenyatta University, the institute will also explore the teaching of Traditional Chinese Medicine with the relevant school. The institute will also strive to be a center for local teacher training and Sino-Kenyan cultural exchange
We would like to pledge our commitment towards making the Confucius Institute at Kenyatta University self-sustaining. Confucius Institute is grateful for the on-going construction of Kenyatta University Language and Culture center which will house the institute and is scheduled to be completed in 2018. The University is also considering the recruitment of additional local staff to teach Chinese Language and Culture on a contract basis. Currently the institute has both Chinese professors from Shandong Normal University and local teachers who are on hand to assist the Institute deliver its core mandate of teaching Chinese Language and Culture.
Once again we thank Confucius Institute Headquarters, Hanban, Shandong Normal University, Kenyatta University Management Board, the Advisory Board and Confucius Institute Board at Kenyatta University for their support and assure all that the Confucius Institute at Kenyatta University is on the right track. We also take this opportunity to call upon both Kenyatta University’s members of staff and the rest of Kenyans to register for various Chinese programmes for facilitation of Academic and Cultural exchanges between Kenya and China.
DR HELLEN KIENDE GUANTAI
DIRECTOR
KENYATTA UNIVERSITY CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE
PROF. LI JING
CHINESE DIRECTOR
KENYATTA UNIVERSITY CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE
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