NAIROBI, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's oldest institutions of higher learning, the University of Nairobi, on Friday launched a Model Confucius Institute amid its huge contribution to teaching of Chinese language and culture.

The launch of the Model Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi was graced by senior government officials, diplomats, university administrators, faculty and students.

Zhao Xiyuan, minister-counsellor, the Chinese Embassy in Kenya said the launch of a Model Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi was a reaffirmation of its immense contribution to Sino-Kenya cultural exchanges.

"The establishment of Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi is not only great and admirable in the field of education but also contributes a lot to Chinese-Kenyan connectivity, and exchanges and mutual learning among these two civilizations," said Zhao.

He said the quality training and teaching provided by the first Confucius Institute to be established in African institutions of higher learning has facilitated the learning and teaching of Chinese culture and language to the wider public.

"The title of Model Confucius Institute is the best compliment to you," said Zhao.

The University of Nairobi's Confucius Institute, which was established in 2005 through a partnership with Tianjin Normal University, has been a center of excellence for teaching of mandarin.

Stephen Kiama, vice-chancellor, University of Nairobi said that over 18,000 people have participated in Chinese language classes, 90,000 have experienced Chinese cultural activities and more than 500 have secured scholarships to study in China in the last 15 years since the launch of the Confucius Institute.

"The Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi will continue to uphold the concept of 'Friendship, Cooperation and Development,' and continue to deepen the development of Chinese language teaching," said Kiama.

He said the Chinese and Kenyan governments officially handed over the Confucius Institute to the University of Nairobi in 2020, adding that stewardship of Chinese International Education Foundation and Tianjin Normal University ensured that granting of a Model Confucius Institute was realized.

"It is my hope that the Institute will continue to work hard so as to promote educational and cultural exchanges between Kenya and China, and strive towards deepening the friendship between our two countries," said Kiama.

"I am convinced Confucius Institute University of Nairobi (CIUoN) will make new and greater contributions to the enhancing people-to-people exchanges between China and Kenya," said Zhao Lingshan, vice president and secretary-general of Chinese International Education Foundation. Enditem

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