UniAbuja to Launch Chinese Language Learning, Culture Program Soon – VC

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Prof. Aisha Maikudi, announced that the university will soon introduce a Confucius Institute that focuses on Chinese language learning and cultural programs.

Maikudi made this statement on Friday while welcoming students from Tsinghua University’s School of Journalism and Communications in China to the institution.

Confucius Institutes in China are educational and cultural programs that aim to promote the Chinese language and culture, support the teaching of Mandarin globally, and foster cultural exchanges.

She mentioned that the University of Abuja has a strong partnership with China, which is supported by their long-standing relationship, and noted that some of the university’s students are already taking Mandarin language courses.

The Vice-Chancellor expressed her happiness about the visit and reassured the delegation that the university would fully cooperate with them.

“I believe our Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, and the Department of Political Science, will be able to establish stronger academic relationships with Chinese institutions,” she added.

Earlier, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, who led the delegation, praised the University of Abuja as one of the best in Africa and expressed hope for more collaboration.

“We have had extensive cooperation between universities in Nigeria and China to promote cultural integration,” he said.

“The University of Abuja is one of the best in this continent.”

“Tsinghua University is also one of the best universities in China.”

“So, we look forward to having a productive working relationship with the two,” Dunhai remarked.

Dr. Sheriff Ibrahim, Head of the Department of Political Science and a specialist in China-Africa relations, also spoke, stating that the exchange program between the two universities would help improve mutual cultural understanding.

The delegation included the Dean and Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Media Communication of Tsinghua University, two faculty members, and 17 PhD students.

They also took part in a seminar on “Mutual Learning between Chinese and Nigeria’s Civilizations” at the university’s Faculty of Communications and Media Studies.