NEWS
Chinese Ambassador: Cultural and educational exchange as a momentum for developing relations Confucius Institute at UoB Concludes the 21st “Chinese Bridge” Competition
Sakhir – University of Bahrain (Khadijah Abdusalem)
June 23, 2022
The Director of the Confucius Institute and UoB Vice President for Academic Programs and Postgraduate Studies, Dr. Mohammad Redha Qader, stressed that educational collaboration and cultural communication between China and Bahrain are essential in the long-term development strategy, and is part of the “Belt and Road” initiative and Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030. He lauded the success of the Confucius Institute in its educational and cultural mission, and the efforts of students learning the Chinese language and culture.
At the conclusion of the 21st “Chinese Bridge” Competition for Chinese Language and Culture for Foreign University Students” on Tuesday June 21, 2022, the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Kingdom of Bahrain, Anwar Habibullah, expressed his pleasure with UoB students’ levels and their passion to learn the Chinese language and its ancient culture. He stressed the importance of learning Chinese as an effective means to get to know modern China. He noted the friendly diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the People’s Republic of China, dating back to 33 years, as cultural and educational exchange is a driving force for the development of relations between the two countries.
Dr. Mohammed Redha Qader has previously stated to the Chinese News Agency (Xinhua) that the Confucius Institute plays an essential role in teaching the Chinese language, cultural communication, and serving the local community in the Kingdom of Bahrain. In addition, it provides many services such as short and long courses in China, scholarships, student exchange programs for students and researchers, and cultural trips.
He mentioned that 4,384 students from the University of Bahrain have enrolled in Chinese language courses at the Institute during the past 8 years. He added that the Institute organized Chinese language courses for more than 200 government employees in Bahrain during the past years, as well as hundreds of cultural activities that attracted more than 50,000 participants from university students, employees, and Chinese children residing in Bahrain.
Dr. Qader added that learning a foreign language broadens students’ visions and perceptions of different cultures and prepares them to be global citizens. He stressed that teaching the Chinese language has become a global trend, as more than 70 countries have formally integrated the teaching of the Chinese language into their national educational systems, including the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Ireland and Australia.
In the context of the 21st “Chinese Bridge” competition, six female students from different colleges of the university participated in the local qualifiers. Student Fatima Abdullah Marhoon, from the College of Engineering, won first place, and therefore, will represent the Kingdom of Bahrain in the final qualifiers.
The competition program included three categories. The first on knowledge of Chinese culture, in which student Nibras Abbas Muhammad from the College of Engineering won the Excellence Award. The second on writing about Chinese language and culture, in which student Fatima Abdullah Marhoon from the College of Engineering won the Excellence Award. The third, the Chinese talent show, in which student Zahraa Jaafar Al-Saeed from the College of Arts won the Excellence Award. In addition, student Dalal Ali Al Qasimi from the College of Business Administration won the “Most Popular” award.
The jury committee consisted of Assistant Professor at the Department of Management and Marketing, College of Business Administration, the University of Bahrain, Dr. Choo Ling Suan, and the Director of the Human Resources Department at Huawei Bahrain, Wang Liang.
