The University of Namibia (UNAM) and China University of Geosciences signed a cooperation agreement here on Thursday, confirming responsibilities of the two universities towards the Confucius Institute at UNAM.

Signing the agreement, UNAM's Vice Chancellor, Professor Lazarus Hangula said the agreement is an unprecedented development for the establishment of the Confucius Institute in Namibia.

"The agreement is also a commitment of the China University of Geosciences and the People's Republic of China to the development of the people of Namibia and promotion of cultural exchange," said Professor Wang Hongbing, head of China University of Geosciences, who signed the agreement on behalf of his university.

UNAM will be the new host to a Chinese government-sponsored Confucius Institute. Dr. Kenneth Matengu, the director of external and international affairs in the Office of the Vice Chancellor at UNAM, told Xinhua that the Confucius Institute will serve as a center for Chinese language studies.

"It also serves as a platform to deepen relationships with China and Namibia as well as promote the development of multi- culturalism," director of the institute Zhang Sufang said on Thursday.

The latest agreement culminates from a letter of intent to jointly establish a Confucius Institute signed in 2011 by the two universities.

Meanwhile, to further accelerate teaching at UNAM, the Chinese also handed over 18 advanced microscopes on Thursday. The microscopes will be used by undergraduate and postgraduate geology students at UNAM for teaching and research.

Receiving the donation, Professor Fred Kamona from the department of geology said the boost of the microscopes will contribute greatly to the teaching and research at the university.

"It makes it easier for students to conduct their microscopic work and lecturers to facilitate students, which improves the quality of research produced at the University," Kamona said. Endi

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