Liberia: 8 Liberian Students Win 22nd Chinese Bridge Competition

Following a live stage performance in this year’s Chinese bridge competition for World College Students of the Confucius Institute at the University of Liberia, at least eight students have emerged victorious in the 22^nd Chinese Proficiency Competition. 

The Chinese bridge is a contest for foreign students on their mastery of the Chinese language, promoted by Chinese national-Hanban and established as a plan to introduce Chinese to the world. 

It is also an annual international competition Chinese speaking and performance competition, in which non-Chinese university students can demonstrate their knowledge of the Chinese language. This competition is sponsored by Haban in China. 

As this year’s competition is being held in observance of the 15^th anniversary of the Confucius Institution at the University of Liberia (CIUL).  

The event, which was organized by the Institute in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy near Monrovia, was also characterized by a series of intellectual and Chinese cultural displays including singing in the Chinese language, having conversation with some of the Chinese judges during the competition among other performances. 

The singing and cultural competition was also held to showcase Liberian students’ talents in the Chinese language. These activities, according to the organizers, were all aimed at marking the institute’s 15^th Anniversary. 

Speaking at the occasion, Assistant Prof, and Director at the Confucius Institute, Dexter Sumo, said that over the years the institute has prepared students who are now making significant impact in Liberian society, especially in the educational sector. 

Sumo expressed excitement over the institute’s achievements since its foundation, and he thanked the People Republic of China for the support and encouraged Liberians to show interest in the program. 

In addition to offering Certificate, Diploma, Elective and Minor courses at the two campuses of the University of Liberia, compulsory Chinese courses are offered by CIUL at 6 teaching points, of which he named 4 primary and secondary schools and 2 vocational technical colleges including (the Salvation Army Polytechnic and the Netlib Vocational Training Institute). CIUL has always been committed to sustainable development, especially in the training of local teachers. 

Up to now, he said, the cumulative number of students who have applied successfully for the CI Scholarships reaches about 100 students. Ten of them are degree students majoring in Master Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages (MTCSOL) or Bachelor of Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages (BTCSOL).

Liberia’s Education Minister, D. Ansu Sonii, acknowledged the People’s Republic of China’s contributions to Liberia’s education sector. Minister Sonii named the construction of the University of Liberia Fendell Campus and free scholarships to China’s Master programs are among many contributions of China to Liberia.

Meanwhile, Li Jiang, the Economic and Commercial Counselor of the Chinese Embassy to Liberia, said language is a bond that connects people together through time and space. He also noted that in recent years, enthusiasm for learning the Chinese language has been growing worldwide, and more Liberians are joining the ranks of Chinese learners.

According to Jiang, he is convinced that, as devoted learners of the Chinese language, one must have discovered its beauty and the rich history and cultural heritage embodied in each Chinese character and get to learn about China’s five-thousand-year long civilization and the value of peace and harmony that are deeply rooted in the blood of Chinese culture and Chinese people. 

“In recent years, President Xi Jinping has proposed the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, together with the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative (GDI) and Global Security Initiative (GSI),”Jiang said. “Not long ago, President Xi also proposed the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI). 

“Over the past 15 years, the Confucius Institute at the University of Liberia has promoted mutual understanding between the peoples of China and Liberia through language teaching and cultural exchanges and has made significant contributions to strengthening humanistic exchanges and friendship between the two countries. 

“As the first Confucius Institute at the University of Liberia, has gone through more than ten years of exploration and endeavor, ever since 2008, with the joint efforts from the Chinese teachers and Liberian staff, the institute is constantly developing expanding with an ever-increasing influence, and has become a bridge connecting Chinese people and the Liberian people. 

“In 2022, there were 1,241 registered students. The Institute also has had a total of 18,461 students since her establishment. This year held 72 classes with a total of 3,646 teaching hours. 

“Currently, the institute has formulated and approved a standardized training program for Chinese language undergraduate students. Hopefully there will be Chinese major students at the University of Liberia soon.”