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China News Agency Shandong News, October 23 report by Wang Zhi. On October 22, 2022, Beijing time, the 2022 "Chinese Bridge" online group project -” China and Africa, Enjoy the Confucian Charms Together" winter cultural camp officially kicked off. The project was sponsored by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation of the Ministry of Education and hosted by the School of International Education of Shandong Normal University. Liu Jinkai, Secretary of the School of International Education, Shandong Normal University, Dean Ma Maoxiang, Director of the International Student Education Department Chang Qingfeng, Project Leader, Shi Jie , Director of the Confucius Institute at Kenyatta University, Kenya, Dr. Hellen Guantai, and the Chinese teacher representative Ms. Luo Duoduo, Kenyan student representative, Joseph and more than 100 participants from Kenya, Egypt, Sudan and other countries gathered on the online platform to embark on a beautiful journey together.

This winter camp is aimed at African Chinese language learners. It aims to promote interpersonal communication with Chinese language as the medium for communication, and to connect the world through culture. The project leader, Professor Shi Jie, presided over the opening ceremony.

Liu Jinkai, Ma Maoxiang and Chang Qingfeng delivered speeches on behalf of the organizers. Dr. Hellen Guantaiand Ms. Luo Duoduo expressed felicitations for the winter cultural camp. Joseph, an international student from Shandong Normal University, shared his wonderful Chinese learning story.

Zheng Cui, the course lecturer, introduced the style and course outline of this winter camp to the participants. She mentioned that this winter cultural camp, themed “China and Africa, Enjoy the Confucian Charms Together ", will meet the participants’ need for understanding Chinese language and culture and increase their awareness of Qilu culture through "Chinese in Real Life", "Qilu Culture" ,"Intangible Cultural Heritage Experience" and activities such as language learning, cultural experience, and live online viewing. This is also aimed at improving the participants’ cultural and language abilities.

The winter camp will take 10 days, and will be conducted through a combination of live broadcast and recorded broadcast. The live class was designed and produced by the professional teaching team of Shandong Normal University. The selection of materials for the course covers a wide range of topics, which can be divided into nine parts, namely, modesty and propriety - Chinese and modesty, Confucianism and the world – the holy Confucius, Flowers on paper - Chinese paper-cutting, Tracing the origin of the foundation - Chinese pronunciation, Charming Spring City – Enjoy Jinan, Taste of Intangible Cultural Heritage - Jiaodong pastry, Unlimited communication – Communicate in Chinese, Respect of the Five Sacred Mountains - Mount Tai in Dongyue, and Martial Universe - Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan.

This project is a regional cultural exchange project specially planned by Shandong Normal University for African Chinese language lovers. The project aims to build a window to showcase the real China, help the participants start a fascinating Chinese language learning journey, feel the pulse of China's development of the times, strengthen the exchange and interaction between Chinese and African youth, promote cultural exchanges between China and African countries, and enhance friendship between the people of China and African countries. (End)

Details: Last Updated: 26 October 2022

In their signature red with blends of purple, Chinese knots, banners, traditional costumes, fans, draping and umbrellas, the Confucius Institute exhibition tent most definitely stole the show in the recent KU Culture Week opening Ceremony exhibition. Located as the first tent on Bishop Square, students and staff also danced and entertained visitors to the KUCI tent with vigor and pomp in line with the beauty of traditional Chinese Dance. Visitors were free to try out traditional clothes, Beijing Opera masks and fans and take photos for their keeping.

Confucius Institute does not just teach language but also culture and thus participating in the university culture week festivities is in line with one of its core mandates. As one of the main sponsors of the event, students are encouraged to participate in teaching their colleagues what they have so far learnt about Chinese culture.

Chinese lecturer Wu Haowen was on ground with traditional Chinese tea. An interesting art which wowed the chief guest Mr. Myke Rabar C.E.O Homeboyz PLC who enjoyed sampling some of the traditional tea. Lecturer Wu explained the health benefits of green tea and reasons behind the delicate process of preparing the tea. Kenyatta University Vice Chancellor was also gifted a calligraphic writing of her title which was specially written by Chinese lecturer Luo Duoduo. Speaking before the official launch Prof. Waceke Wanjohi A.g Vice-Chancellor said “We are proud and honored to celebrate diversity of cultures and talents as we peacefully co-exist and promote inclusivity in our day-to-day life at KU."

Many students who visited the KUCI tent were also encouraged to take Chinese language Beginner Course. This is a subsidized course offered to bona fide Kenyatta University students every evening after 5PM. It is a value addition certification that has seen thousands of KU graduates enter the job market as multilingual graduates.

The Chief Guest , Homeboyz Entertainment CEO Mr. Myke Rabar visit KU Chinese Department tent during an exhibition to showcase their innovations at the official Opening Ceremony of the 29th edition of Culture Week at Bishop Square.

Visitors at the KUCI tent.

KUCI tent full of visitors

A student trying out Chinese calligraphy

Chinese lecturer Luo Duoduo manning the KUCI tent

Students visit KUCI tent

Lion Dance ‘head’ on display at the exhibition tent

Students trying out Beijing Opera masks

Details: Last Updated: 25 October 2022

On 28^th September, 2022 staff and students of KUCI congregated at the multifunctional hall of the LCC building to mark the 2022 Confucius Institute Day. This is an important day celebrated by students of Chinese mandarin globally. The Centre for International Chinese Education, headquartered in Beijing China and affiliated to the Chinese Government promotes Chinese language and culture, supports local Chinese teaching internationally and facilitates cultural exchange through Confucius Institutes. This day is key in celebrating achievements made in fulfilling these mandates.

Speaking on behalf of KUCI’s partner University Shandong Normal, Prof. Zhou Lianyong Director of the International Exchange and Cooperation Office of Shandong Normal University and Director of the Confucius Institute Office, hailed Kenyatta University for supporting the teaching of Chinese language in Kenya. In his good will message, shared via video, Prof. Zhou said that there has been great partnership between KU and Shandong Normal University over the years and he looked forward to greater collaborations. He said his University will keep on supporting teaching and research around Chinese language and aid staff and student exchange for the mutual benefit of both universities and nations.

Special guests of this year’s Confucius Institute Day celebrations were high school students from Naivasha Girls. The girls displayed a keen interest for Chinese language which they confessed was very foreign to them. Lecturers gave them quick lessons in writing simple Chinese calligraphy and speaking basic phrases. They also sampled Chinese tea and the art of using chopsticks. As much as Chinese language is not taught as a foreign language at their school, the girls were glad to have visited and learnt about its relevance in the current job market.

Speaking on behalf of Confucius Institute board members, Dr. Martin Ogolla encouraged students to keep practicing their language skills and also take advantage of scholarship opportunities offered by the University. He said taking Chinese learning all the way to China makes a graduate more competitive and opens up more opportunities to learn and do international exchange with colleagues from China.

Some of the entertainment pieces enjoyed included; lion dance, Taiji and Chinese songs as performed by students at the Institute. The highlight of the celebrations was a fashion show segment organized by students of KUCI. They displayed a wide variety of traditional Chinese clothing featuring pieces worn even thousands of years ago.

KUCI Chinese lecturer Lorna Duoduo lectures the audience on different traditional Chinese clothing as showcased by the models

KUCI Director Dr. Hellen Kiende Guantai and Dr. Martin Ogolla try out Chinese calligraphy

Students of KUCI participate in calligraphy

One of the lottery winners receive their price from KUCI Director Dr. Hellen Kiende Guantai

Students from Naivasha Girls try their hands on Chinese calligraphy

KUCI Taiji Tuan in action

Group photo with Naivasha Girls High School

Dr. Martin Ogolla speaking on behalf of KUCI board

MC of the day, Ms. Ruth Achieng’ KUCI Adminsitrator

Students of Naivasha Girls high school listening keenly to proceedings

Details: Last Updated: 25 October 2022

24th June 2022, a chilly Nairobi morning saw a convergence of 15 participants drawn from 4 Confucius Institutes in Kenya, engage in a fierce Chinese Proficiency battle. The Kenyan chapter of this annual global competition gives an opportunity to excelling Chinese language students to showcase their mastery of the language in 3 ways: Speech, Quick fire Q&A session and talent competition. The theme of the competition was 'One world, one family'

Organized at the University of Nairobi's Taifa Hall, the 2022 event attracted the attendance of Chinese language lovers, media houses, high school students, Chinese corporates in Nairobi and representatives from the Chinese Embassy in Kenya.
This is the first time a physical, in person competition has been organized since the disruption of Covid-19 virus in the year 2020. Hansnick Omondi Otieno from the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi won first prize scooping a prestigious 6 month fully paid scholarship to China and shall proceed to the continental competition as Kenya’s official representative. Kenyatta University’s Willis Gitau won third prize and was awarded a smart watch, a book and trophy. Kenyatta University's Willis Gitau captured the crowd's heart by his flawless speech and martial arts display. Willis has been studying Chinese at KUCI for a year now left everyone breathless by his Jackie Chan-like martial arts moves. Prof. Pei Guanggang KUCI Chinese Director was full of praise for our participants. He said the three students diligently reported to the institute for rehearsals despite being out of campus

Most participant's speeches were about great developmental milestones that Kenya has achieved since it started cooperative engagements with China. They praised the fast, cost effective and nil red tape way that China engages with Kenya.

Chief Guest, Prof. Stephen Kiama Vice Chancellor University of Nairobi in his keynote speech said that Chinese language has gained traction among young Kenyans and would offer more career opportunities to those that choose to learn it. Another guest Zhao Xiyuan, Minister Counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Kenya, said that the Chinese language proficiency contest provided a platform for fostering China-Kenya cultural ties and friendship, adding that language and culture remain key building blocks of bilateral cooperation.

The event was sponsored and organized by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation, affiliated with the Ministry of Education of China, the Chinese Embassy in Kenya.