Passion for Sinology grows in Kenya

Kenya's Kenyatta University has introduced a four-year bachelor's degree in Chinese culture and language, becoming the latest institute of higher learning in the country to offer Chinese language as a major in the hope of fostering cultural integration.

The major will be offered at the university's Confucius Institute, and more than 300 students are expected to enroll in the degree program this September, said Nyambura Salome, director of the Confucius Institute at Kenyatta University.

The quest for Kenyans to learn Chinese culture and language is growing and that is why the university has launched a full four-year course that will cater to the needs of the students, she said.

The university has recently received more than 1,000 books about Chinese language and culture from China's Shandong Normal University to help students better understand Chinese culture and language, she said.

Salome also said Kenyatta University has partnerships with secondary schools and primary schools in Kenya.

"Some of the books will also go to these primary schools and secondary schools because we have children who are learning the Chinese language, and we also have teachers who are in those schools," she said. "Our goal is to help these children learn the Chinese language and culture at a younger age."

The Chinese language is gaining popularity in Kenya in recent years, boosted by intensified exchanges and economic cooperation. In addition to major universities, such as the University of Nairobi, that have been offering Chinese as a degree program, more institutes and schools have included Chinese as an elective course.

Recently, Kenya adopted Chinese as one of its foreign languages to be studied by students at the secondary school level in its new education curriculum.

More teachers

As more university students study Chinese language during their bachelor's degree courses in Kenya, the shortage of competent Chinese teachers at secondary schools in the country will ease, Salome said.

Caroline Njomo, a diploma student at the Confucius Institute at Kenyatta University, said she fell in love with Chinese culture and language.

"My love for foreign languages is what attracted me to explore Chinese languages and I found out it's a beautiful culture," she said. "I have a dream of working and living in China in the future."

Njomo added that parents should let their children learn the Chinese language at an early age.

"It will be best if children from the age of 12 years can be allowed to study Chinese as a subject at a lower secondary level as this can direct them to a new career path in China," she said.

Felicity Kendi, who is currently pursuing a certificate course in Chinese culture and language at the university, said she also intends to enroll in the new major this year.

"The world is a global village and we can no longer stick to one language and that's the reason I want to pursue a bachelor's in Chinese culture and language as one of my foreign languages," she said. "My goal is to learn at least 10 foreign languages and finally pursue a career in international relations and diplomacy."

Waceke Wanjohi, acting vice-chancellor of Kenyatta University, said teachers sent from China are providing training in Chinese language and culture at the university, adding that more efforts can be made to intensify training of local students and teachers and increase exchange programs to improve their skills.

Luo Duoduo, a lecturer at the Confucius Institute at Kenyatta University, said many Kenyans pursuing Chinese culture and language are eyeing careers at the global level.

"They believe that with a foreign language like Chinese, they stand a chance of getting employed by international organizations," Luo said.

The writer is a freelance journalist for China Daily.