Chanco to offer degree in Mandarin
Confucius Institute (CI) of China has revealed plans to introduce degree courses in Chinese language, Mandarin, at Chancellor College (Chanco), a constituent college of the University of Malawi (Unima).
The introduction seeks to give Malawians a chance to learn Mandarin amid growing Chinese influence in the country.
The institute’s director Professor Feng Jianguo said this on the sidelines of the Chinese Spring Festival at Kamuzu College of Nursing (KCN) in Lilongwe on Tuesday.
The festival commemorates the beginning of the New Year among the Chinese.
Feng said CI is currently preparing to enrol its first students next month and the group will be learning at KCN.
He added that the institute will offer 10 other programmes designed to promote the learning and speaking of Mandarin among Malawians.
“Another programme will be for students at College of Medicine, three programmes for the University of Malawi, three others for police officers and members of staff in the education sector and Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” said Feng.
KCN principal Address Malata said the introduction of Mandarin lessons at the college will promote cultural relations between people of the two countries.
She commended CI for offering to support different social and educational activities undertaken at the college.
This is the first time the festival has taken place in Malawi since the signing of partnership between Unima and the University of International Business and Economics.
During the event, Chinese nationals performed a number of their traditional dances and activities.
The festival lasts 15 days from the first day of the lunar month, and in folklore it starts earlier, namely from the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, according to Feng.
