NAIROBI, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's privately owned United States International University (USIU-Africa) on Thursday launched Confucius's classroom to strengthen the teaching of the Chinese language to students and faculty members.
Julius Jwan, director of Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), said the first Confucius classroom to be launched at a private university in the country will help boost uptake of mandarin among the youth.
"The classroom launched today will play a key role in increasing the human skills that are required to popularize mandarin in Kenya," said Jwan, adding that Kenya is on course to introduce the Chinese language as an optional subject from grade four.
He said the Confucius classroom at USIU-Africa is expected to become a training hub for future Chinese language teachers, diplomats and entrepreneurs amid robust Sino-Kenya trade and cultural ties.
USIU-Africa's Confucius classroom was established through a partnership with publicly funded Kenyatta University's Confucius Institute to help expand the scope of teaching Chinese language and culture to Kenyan youth.
"The youth who are fluent in spoken and written Chinese language will be in a better position to seize opportunities arising from our economic cooperation with China," said Jwan.
Paul Zeleza, vice-chancellor of USIU-Africa said that one of the oldest private universities in Kenya has prioritized teaching of the Chinese language to expose students to opportunities linked to globalization.
"A mastery of Chinese language is key to help our students navigate the global system where China is a dominant player," said Zeleza.
