A total of 132 students and teachers have won the Chinese Ambassador’s award for their special contributions on learning and teaching Chinese language.
The awards that were established in 2018, aims at cementing further the bilateral ties between the two countries on cultural aspects.
Speaking during the award issuing ceremony, the Ambassador of China to Tanzania, Ms Chen Mingjian said learning Chinese language is key towards embracing various opportunities brought by the existing bilateral ties.
According to her, currently a total of 20,000 Tanzanian students are learning Chinese language, a move that will play a crucial role in facilitating communications and interaction between people of the two countries.
“China has been a largest trading partner to Africa for 13 consecutive years and the largest source of investment to Tanzania for six consecutive years. In this context, learning Chinese embraces the opportunities brought by China- Tanzania economic cooperation,” she said.
The ambassador noted further that Tanzania has seen an enthusiasm and passion for Chinese language learning and that by the end of 2021, a total of 16 African countries had incorporated the Chinese language subject into their national education system.
“Also, more than 30 universities have established Chinese language majors or Chinese language as a subject. As a result, tens of thousands of graduates have become the backbone of the development of African countries through China- Africa friendship,” she noted.
Ambassador Chen pointed out that the establishment of the Chinese Ambassadors award has played a role in encouraging more Tanzanian students to study Chinese language.
At present, Chinese language teaching has been included in Tanzania’s national education system, under support from the ministry of Education, Science and Technology.
Present at the event, the Commissioner of Education Dr Lyabwene Mtahabwa commended the Chinese embassy for the initiative, suggesting for Tanzania’s embassies abroad to do the same in promoting Kiswahili.
The awarding ceremony of Chinese Ambassador has been held annually since 2018, involving teachers and students from various institutions including the University of Dodoma (UDOM), University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), Muslim University of Morogoro (MUM), State University of Zanzibar (SUZA) and nine secondary schools form different regions of Tanzania.
