UoN Leads High-Level Kenyan Delegation to China, Deepens Collaboration on Chinese Language Education

A high-level delegation from Kenya, spearheaded by the University of Nairobi (UoN) and led by its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Margaret Jesang Hutchinson, successfully concluded a week-long visit to Tianjin and Beijing, China, from October 18th to 24th. The visit, conducted under the umbrella of the vital 2+2 Program initiative, marked a significant step in strengthening educational and cultural ties between the two nations.

The multi-institutional delegation included key representatives from the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), the Ministry of Education, the Commission for University Education (CUE), and the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), alongside the UoN Confucius Institute.

The focus of the mission was to advance mutual goals in Chinese language education and international academic partnership. Key engagements were held with prominent Chinese educational leaders, including: Prof. Gong Jinlong, the President of Tianjin Normal University, Prof. Zhong Yinghua, Chair of the International Society for Chinese Language Teaching and Head of the International Chinese Education Development Research Institute of Tianjin Normal University (TNU) and Director-General Yu Yunfeng of the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC).

Discussions centered on several critical areas poised to transform Chinese language learning in Kenya:

• Enhanced Teacher Training: Strengthening capacity for Kenyan educators to teach Chinese.
• Development of Localized Teaching Materials: Creating contextually relevant curricula that resonate with Kenyan students.
• Structured International Partnerships: Establishing frameworks for promoting academic excellence and intercultural competence through sustained collaboration.
• Piloting Chinese Language Courses: Initiating the integration of Chinese language instruction into Kenyan schools.

As a crucial component of the University of Nairobi internationalization strategy, the UoN Confucius Institute played a central role in these discussions, underscoring the University's commitment to fostering a multilingual and globally competent generation of students. The agreements reached are expected to significantly enhance the Institute's capacity to serve as the hub for Chinese language and cultural education across the region.

Prof. Hutchinson emphasized the importance of these forward-looking collaborations, stating, "The University of Nairobi is proud to lead this national initiative. Our commitment is to ensure that our students and educators have access to world-class resources and partnerships that enhance their competitiveness and global mobility. The insights gained in Tianjin will be instrumental in scaling up the 2+2 Program and ensuring its long-term success."

The delegation extended its sincere appreciation to Tianjin Normal University for their exceptional hospitality and their unwavering commitment to a productive partnership that empowers students to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

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