China to open Confucius institute at NUR

Chen Dong, Councilor of the Embassy of China in Rwanda and Prof. Manasse Mbonye during the discussions

The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Rwanda has shown interest in opening a Confucius Institute to teach the Chinese language at the National University of Rwanda.

A delegation from the embassy of China in Rwanda met Prof. Manasse Mbonye, the Acting Rector of the National University of Rwanda (NUR) over the matter.

The Chinese delegation was led by Chen Dong, the 1st Councilor in that embassy. It included Mr. Kong Ling Yuan the representative of Confucius in Rwanda.

According to Dong, the introduction of Chinese language at NUR is part of different activities of the cooperation between China and NUR and the country at large.

“Our cooperation between China and NUR is growing. A couple of months ago; the Chinese Embassy in Rwanda introduced the Chinese culture at NUR through drama, dance, acrobatics and other Chinese cultural patterns.

Our relationship is for mutual benefit. We believe that establishing Confucius Institute which will be teaching Chinese language at NUR will be a way of expanding the existing relationship between NUR and China.”

The Acting Rector of NUR, Prof. Manasse Mbonye commended efforts of the Embassy of China in Rwanda and their commitment to strengthen the existing relationship between NUR and the Chinese academic institutions.

Mbonye said that teaching Chinese language is another step forward on the relationship between NUR and China. He noted that Chinese language classes could open after two sides sign the memorandum of understanding defining phases of the above mentioned project, subject to the NUR senate approval.

According to the proposal from the meeting, Chinese classes could begin at NUR by September 2013.