News & Events
Confucius Institute Kenyatta University on 10th September 2019, received a new Director Dr. Hellen Kiende Guantai. Dr. Guantai takes over from Dr. Kamau Wango to head the institute as the Local Director Confucius Institute Kenyatta University. Dr. Guantai hails from the School of Education and is keen on marketing the Chinese Language Course to potential students. She has a passion for Marketing and is an excellent administrator seen from her experience in managing office of Examination Coordinator in the School of Education. In her key note address to members of staff, Dr. Guantai said she was ready to serve and thanked the Vice Chancellor Prof. Paul K. Wainaina for the opportunity. She said she would create her own shoes and fit them, acknowledging the tremendous work done by former Director Dr. Kamau Wango. Members of staff at Confucius Institute led by Prof. Li Jing welcomed Dr. Guantai and promised her full support in her new role.
Staff Members at Kenyatta University Confucius Institute welcome the new Director, Dr. Hellen Kiende Guantai
Dr. Hellen Kiende Guantai shakes hands with former Confucius Institute Director Dr. Kamau Wango as she takes over office.
Confucius Institute new Director Dr. Hellen Kiende Guantai (left) Dr. Kamau Wango (middle) and Chinese Director Prof. Li Jing (right)
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The Confucius Institute was invited to participate in the 55th anniversary celebration of the China-Kenya diplomatic Relations at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Nairobi on Friday, December 14, 2018. The colourful ceremony commemorated the establishment of diplomatic relations at Ambassadorial level between China and Kenya that were formalized through a China-Kenya joint communique published on December 14, 1963. This milestone was preceded by a visit to Kenya by a top-level Chinese delegation led by Marshal Chen Yi, Vice-Premier and Foreign Minister of the Peoples’ Republic of China. Their mission was to attend Kenya’s Independence celebrations on December 12, 1963 and the communique issued two days later made China the fourth Country to establish formal diplomatic relations with newly Independent Kenya.
The event was attended by many dignitaries, including foreign mission representatives in Kenya. The Chief Guest was Mr. Raphael Tuju, Cabinet secretary and Secretary-General of the Jubilee Party accompanied by Mr. Adan Duale, Majority leader of the National Assembly. Other guests included Mr. Shakeel Shabbir, Chairperson of the Kenya-China Friendship Group of the Parliament, Richard Tong'i, Vice-chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Defense and Foreign Relations of Parliament, and Ms Sarah Serem, Kenya’s Ambassador-designate to China.
The Chargé d'affaires at the Chinese Embassy, Mr. Li Xuhang lauded the long period of partnership between the two Countries that has brought with it political, economic and social transformation for both countries as well as forging close links. He noted that, "China-Kenya relations are at a new historical point, with unprecedented opportunities and broad prospects. Facing the future, we will continue to uphold the principles of strategic mutual trust, win-win cooperation with shared benefits, and push forward the better alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative and Eight Major Action Plans of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Summit with Kenya's Big Four Agenda, to achieve faster and greater development of China-Kenya relations."
In his remarks, Mr. Tuju noted that China had contributed significantly to Africa's struggle for freedom against colonialism and that this cooperation has evolved over the years and is evident in transformative development projects, including infrastructure expansion, agriculture modernization, industrialization and skill transfer. To mark the event, four Kenyan public Universities, including Kenyatta University, received a combined scholarship award worth five-million Kenya shillings. Other Chinese government scholarships were awarded to outstanding students to study in Universities in China. Kenyatta University was represented by the CI Director, Dr. Kamau Wango.
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On the 10th of July, Parents and guardians of CI students attended a Parent’s summer Camp Briefing organized by the CI. The meeting was aimed at informing parents of successful Summer Camp students what the trip their children were to take for 2 weeks in China would entail. The meeting was hosted by CI Director Dr. Wango who first of all congratulated all qualified students and reiterated on the place of foreign languages and especially Chinese in the current world. He stated that having a foreign language apart from a basic degree guaranteed success in the future of the students. The Parents were treated to 5 beautiful presentations of Chinese traditional dances, Martial Arts performance and a song by both students and Teachers of CI. The Chinese Director Ms. Li then went on to give an in-depth introduction of CI and Shandong Normal University. She elaborated on the different partnerships the two universities work on, stating that KU is the second CI SDNU opened globally. She pointed out the inclusion of the Basketball team into the Summer Camp for the first time. The basketball team will accompany CI Summer Camp Students to China. She mentioned 4 martial arts students that were also part of the team that would go to China and encouraged the students to take advantage of the different opportunities available to them to go to China and further their knowledge of the language. Rachael, one of the Chinese lecturers at the institute who would be leading and taking care of the students during the Summer Camp gave her speech as well affirming the parents that for those 2 weeks their children would be her own children. Rachael reminded the students of the importance of being disciplined while in China.
Parents were then taken through the rules, regulations and requirements expected of their children during the trip. Parents were also given an opportunity to ask questions which were answered. Some of the parents encouraged fellow parents to pray for their children while they are away and assured the CI that their children were well mannered. CI Director Dr. Wango gave the closing remarks reiterating on the difference in China’s culture and Kenyan culture and reminded students to be careful to keep time while on their trip to China. Also in attendance were CI members of staff and Chinese volunteer Teachers and Lecturers.
Report by
Ruth Sarah Achieng’
Administrator KU CI
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Tuesday 24th September 2019, Kenyatta University Confucius Institute hosted Mrs. Patricia Mutua head of English Department and Mrs. Doris Rutere of English Department Starehe Boys Centre. The two paid a visit to the institute with the intention of finding direction on what it takes to teach Chinese language in Starehe Boys Centre. The meeting was an initial introductory meeting that will see the setting up of a Confucius Classroom in Starehe Boys’ Centre next year January 2020.
Speaking during the meeting the Kenyatta University Confucius Institute Chinese Director Prof. Li Jing expressed her gratitude for having met representatives from Starehe Boys Centre. She said Kenyatta University Confucius Institute is keen on starting the Confucius Classroom as she had initially interacted with students from Starehe and found them to be extremely intelligent.
Kenyatta University Confucius Institute Director Dr. Hellen Guantai said the University will play its role in facilitating talks between Hanban and Starehe Boys’ Centre to effect the establishment of a Confucius Classroom in the Centre. She said she is keen as well to market programs offered by CI to the students of Starehe Boys Centre.
Mrs. Mutua head of English department in Starehe Boys Centre on behalf of the school management thanked Kenyatta University Confucius Institute for agreeing to aid the Center start Chinese classes. She said as a school Starehe was keen on incorporating Chinese Language studies as a foreign language. She said starting Chinese classes in Starehe Boys Centre was in line with the government’s plan to re-introduce more language classes in the education system.
Also in attendance was Kenyatta University Confucius Institute Administrator Ms. Ruth Sarah Achieng’
Dr. Hellen Kiende, Director Confucius Institute engaging Head of English Department Starehe Boys’ Centre Mrs. Patricia Mutua. Looking on is Confucius Institute Chinese Director Prof. Li Jing
From Left; Confucius Institute Administrator Ms. Ruth Achieng’, Mrs. Doris Rutere English Department Starehe Boys’ Centre, Dr. Hellen Kiende Local Director Confucius Institute, Prof. Li Jing Chinese Director Confucius Institute and Head of English Department Starehe Boys’ Centre Mrs. Patricia Mutua
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