Bridging Cultures, Building Futures: The 24th Chinese Bridge Competition at UoN

On 7th May, the University of Nairobi was honored to organize the Chinese Ambassador Scholarship Award Ceremony and the 24th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for College Students - Kenyan Divisions Finals at the iconic Taifa Hall. The theme being ' One world, one family, ' it aims to promote the Chinese language and culture worldwide.

Among the distinguished guests were the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi, Prof. Margaret Hutchinson, Ag,  the Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, H.E. Ambassador Guo Haiyan, and Dr. Carol Hunja, Secretary for Higher Education and Research, MoE, all present to witness a momentous occasion

The highlight of the evening was the awarding of the Chinese Ambassador Scholarship to 30 exceptional students—a testament to China’s unwavering support for Kenya’s Vision 2030 in talent cultivation. The Chinese Ambassador Scholarship is more than just financial aid; it is a bridge to greater opportunities, a gateway to deeper cultural understanding. It has helped many students realize their dreams of completing their education.

"These scholarships have enabled many students from disadvantaged backgrounds to complete their studies, enter the job market, and embark on new journeys in life - all thanks to the timely support of the Chinese Ambassador Scholarship." Thanked the Vice Chancellor of UoN. H.E. Ambassador Guo Haiyan echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the growing partnership between Kenya and China, built on mutual respect and shared aspirations.

The Chinese Embassy has also actively promoted the cooperation between Kenya and China in the field of education. On November 15, 2024, during the World Chinese Language Education Conference in Beijing, the Ministry of Education of Kenya signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) concerning Cooperation on Joint Chinese Language Education in Kenya.One of the provisions of the MoU states:
"The Parties will encourage Kenyan students to participate in the 'Chinese Bridge' Chinese Proficiency Competitions, summer (winter) camps, and other activities."

As a leading university and pioneer in international Chinese education in Kenya, the University of Nairobi and the Confucius Institute have played an important role in training Chinese students, integrating Chinese into Kenya's national curriculum, and supporting the implementation of the MoU.

The Ministry of Education fully supports the development of Chinese language education in Kenya to cultivate more talents for Kenya-China economic and trade cooperation and more ambassadors of friendship between the peoples of our two countries. The Chinese Bridge Competition is a cradle for such ambassadors. And it encourages and calls on more students to participate.

There was emphasis on the importance of Education, talent development, and youth exchanges as vital pillars of the relationship between China and Kenya.

The Chinese bridge competitors were to be assessed on language proficiency, then answer questions to test their cultural understanding, and lastly, they would showcase their creative presentations. The stakes were high—the winner would earn the chance to perform in China, showcasing their mastery of the Chinese language and culture on an international stage against other international participants. The runners-up, though not taking center stage, would still embark on an unforgettable journey to witness the global finals, an experience that would broaden their horizons.

The contestants took the stage one by one, delivering eloquent speeches, performing traditional Chinese arts, and answering challenging questions with remarkable fluency. The judges, impressed by the depth of talent. This competition is more than just a contest—it is a bridge between nations, a testament to the power of education in fostering global connections.