On March 25th 2024, the Confucius Institute at the University of Mauritius (CI-UoM) held the opening ceremony for the first Chinese language class at its teaching site of the University of Technology Mauritius (UTM). The ceremony was attended by over 40 representatives, including CI-UoM Mauritian Director Dr. Kistamah, Chinese Director Prof. Fu Mingduan, lecturers Mr. Zhang Jianwei and Miss Zhang Xinglan, as well as a group of students and staff members from UTM.
In their speeches, Dr. Kistamah and Prof. Fu Mingduan reviewed the development journey of the Confucius Institute since its establishment, introduced the various courses offered by the Confucius Institute, including Chinese language classes, Chinese calligraphy, painting, and other cultural courses. The two directors highlighted the cultural activities organized by Confucius Institute, including HSK Chinese proficiency tests, educational exchanges, and scholarship programs. They encouraged the students to persist in their Chinese language learning, as by learning Chinese language, they could gain insights into Chinese culture and explore its richness and charm.
The first session of Chinese language classes at UTM received an enthusiastic response from 70 university students and staff. They expressed their desire to delve deeper into Chinese culture and society, aspiring to visit China for tourism, pursue advanced studies, or seek employment opportunities in the future. The positive response sets a promising tone for the future collaboration between CI-UoM and UTM.
The successful establishment of CI-UoM teaching site at UTM not only caters to the demand of students and staff at UTM for learning Chinese language and culture, but also provides expanded opportunities for the development of Confucius Institute's educational programs. In the future, CI-UoM will continuously strengthen its collaboration with local institutions, playing an increasingly important role in promoting the popularization and development of Chinese language education across Mauritius.
Opening Address at UTM
Group photo of CI-UoM Staff & Students at UTM