News & Events
Candidates queue to enter the exam hall to sit for the various levels of HSK exams
The Confucius Institute conducted the second HSK/HSKK tests on Sunday 14th October, 2018. The tests are conducted twice annually, the first having been held in February, 2018. These are key international Chinese language proficiency tests that are administered by the Confucius Institute headquarters, Hanban. They are major determinants for qualification for various categories of Chinese scholarships and range from preliminary level one (Level 1) to highly skilled level six (Level 6). The Confucius Institute at Kenyatta University is an accredited testing centre and hence serves candidates from within and outside the University. All Confucius Institute students are encouraged to undertake these tests in order to upgrade their Chinese language credentials in readiness for scholarships in China or job opportunities locally.
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The Kenyan Chapter of the 12th Chinese Bridge global Foreign Student’s Competition was held in Kenyatta University on 29th July 2019. 8 contestants drawn from different Confucius Institutes and classrooms in the country took part in the tight completion. Stacy Njeri won the overall price and will be representing Kenya in the next stage of the completion to be held in China.
The theme of this year’s competition was “Learning Chinese, Creating a Brighter Future”. The Competition was divided into three parts; Speech, Answering Common Knowledge Questions and Talent Show, with each contestant having the opportunity to score 100 marks. The contestants showcased high level mastery of the Chinese language in their speeches to the awe of students, invited Chinese Businessmen, Corporates and representatives from the Chinese Embassy in Kenya. The winner wowed the crowd with the ease with which she made Chinese tea during the talent show. Notably, the only male contestant Rashid Kopar won best talent award as he played the guitar and sang a song in Chinese amid great cheers from the audience.
Gracing the event were students of Chinese language from different CIs in Kenya and their teachers. Chinese Corporates in Kenya were present as well led by Xiao Mi Smartphone Company that gave gifts to the winners of the competition.
The best eloquence award went to Opera Rita Mukami who gave her 3 minute speech in impeccable Chinese. Best style award went to Ngugi Mercy Wangari.
In her speech at the end of the competition KU’s Dr. Elizabeth Andango from the Music Department asked the students to work harder and excel not just in Chinese but in other subjects as well, then get the chance to join KU for their university studies.
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On July 19, the Confucius Institute of Kenyatta University held its first Martial Arts Competition.
The competition consisted of two groups; Primary and Intermediate, performing "eight-style Taijiquan" and "twenty-four-style Taijiquan" respectively. The judges synthetically evaluated the performance of the contestants according to their performance integrity, action standard and error degree.
Each group had one first-class, one second-and-third-class prize and several excellent prizes. Before the start of the competition, the referees took an oath saying they would uphold the principle of fairness and justice in the competition and strictly implement the scoring standards. As a representative of the contestants, Alina Cichoki, a student of Confucius Institute, pledged that all the contestants would seriously participate in the contest, abide by the rules of the contest, and achieve the level and style of the contest.
The opening speech was given by CI Chinese Director Li Jingzhi, who first expressed her gratitude to all the guests for attending the competition. At the same time, she was very happy to see that so many students had developed interest in Chinese martial arts and entered the competition.
The competitions of the junior and intermediate groups were held on the same day, morning and afternoon respectively. The players were elegant, honest, excellent and rigid. Every move was given full play to the usual practice, especially the "24-style Taijiquan" performance of the intermediate group.
After a fierce competition, Naomi Macharia, Pauline Wanjiru, Geraldine Mulimi won the first, second and third prizes, while Eugene Teddy, Wakoli Steve and Alina Cichoki won the first, second and third prizes. CI Director Prof. Li Jing and the distinguished guests presented the awards to the athletes and congratulated them.
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Nice to meet you! Chinese volunteers,Li Zhenyong(2L) and Ms. Baihe(4L) pose for a picture with Maasai men during the visit to the Maasai village on their excursion to Maasai Mara – November, 2018.%20and%20Ms.%20Baihe(4L).JPG)
The Confucius Institute Chinese volunteers and lecturers as well as the new Chinese Director accompanied by some local staff visited the Maasai Mara game reserve in November, 2018. This excursion is designed to introduce the Chinese, particularly new volunteers, to the Kenyan countryside and to experience the rich wildlife heritage that is unique to this Country as well as sample other aspects of the local culture, including the local cuisine. The development of language is intertwined with the understanding of culture and must essentially be seen as mutual and hence the need for an integrated approach to this kind of exposure and learning in order to promote greater understanding between the Chinese and African peoples. The group was able to observe various animals including all the big five as well as a variety of other wildlife species, including birds. The group also visited a Maasai village where they were treated to Maasai song and dance and an oral presentation of their very rich culture.
Earlier in the year, the Confucius Institute also arranged a one day excursion to Nakuru. The one day excursions serve to forge a good working relationship between Chinese volunteer staff and the local staff and also provide a much needed break from the rigorous CI activities and teaching responsibilities. The group visited Lake Nakuru National Park. Both excursions were sponsored by the Confucius Institute headquarters, Hanban.
The CI Chinese and local staff pose for a photo at the lion hill camp in Nakuru，June2018.
Chinese volunteers Ding Wanru and Liu Ting pay attention to Maasai children during the visit to the Maasai village on their excursion to Maasai Mara – November, 2018
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