20 UoN Students Head to China for Teacher Training Scholarships

Twenty University of Nairobi students have left for China to pursue a two-year teacher training programme under government scholarships, marking the start of Kenya’s first cohort of certified Chinese language instructors.

The group, recommended by the Confucius Institute at UoN, will become the first cohort of Chinese language teachers in Kenya to meet the registration requirements of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) upon completion of their studies.

They form the pioneer class of the 2+2 Joint Programme for International Chinese Language Scholarship Students in Kenya, established under a tripartite agreement signed in December 2023.

The agreement allows the Centre for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC) to sponsor 25 students annually in a dual-degree program comprising two years of study at UoN followed by two years at Tianjin Normal University in China.

“Although it is just 20 students we are flagging off today, there are many more in the pipeline,” said Mr. Zhang Zhizhong, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy, during the send-off ceremony.

The students, drawn from various undergraduate programs but majoring in Chinese language, join a growing list of UoN scholars pursuing studies in China.

In February this year, the university flagged off nine students to Tianjin Normal University for a six-month language program, while in August 2024, 15 scholars left for further studies ranging from a semester to a full degree.

To date, more than 400 UoN students have studied in China through Confucius Institute scholarships, while over 1,000 lecturers and professors have benefited from international exchange opportunities.

“By the end of this year, a total of 245 educators and students will have participated in exchange programs to China with support from the Chinese government compared to the 123 last year,” noted Prof. Wang Shangxue, Director of the Confucius Institute.

The UoN Senate recently approved a Bachelor of Education in Chinese Language option, expanding on the existing Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Language.

“These two programs will not only boost local capacity for producing competent teachers but also enhance the employability of our graduates,” said Prof. Jackson Maalu, dean at the School of Business at UoN.

It is anticipated that after graduation, the students will return to Kenya to contribute to the growth of international Chinese education by serving as professional instructors.

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