Our First Confucius Institute Declared Open at Moi University in Kenya
March 30th, 2015 witnessed the Opening Ceremony of our first Confucius Institute (CI) at Moi University, Kenya. This is the first CI in the world featuring textile and fashion design, which is the fourth CI in Kenya. In the meantime, Donghua University Kenyan Alumni Association was established.
Upon the invitation from Prof. Mibey, Vice Chancellor of Moi University, Prof. Zhu Min, Chairman of Donghua University Council, is present at the Opening Ceremony and visit Moi University, together with Prof. Liu Chunhong, Deputy Vice Chancellor, and other related personnel.
The Opening Ceremony was hosted by both Prof. Mibey and Prof. Zhu Min. Prof. Mibey greeted Mr. Yao Ming, Counselor at Chinese Embassy of Kenya, representatives of Chinese institutions in Kenya, Chinese Entrepreneurs and the Donghua University Delegation. Prof. Zhu acknowledged the great support provided by Confucius Institute Headquarters, Chinese Embassy in Kenya, Uasin Gishu County government and Moi University for the newly established CI.
Present on the occasion are more than 200 guests, including Mr. Mandago, Uasin Gishu County Governor, Mr. Yao Ming, Counselor at Chinese Embassy of Kenya, directors of the other three Kenyan Confucius Institutes. Chief Executive of Confucius Institute Headquarters, Director General of Hanban, Ms. Xu Lin, sent her sincere congratulations for the Confucius Institute at Moi University. China National Textile and Apparel Council and Shanghai Fashion & Accessories Society have also expressed their best wishes for the CI with strong textile and fashion design features.
In his address to the audience, Governor Mandago aired his conviction that the CI at Moi University would serve as the bridge connecting Chinese culture and Kenyan culture, further promoting the longstanding friendship between the two peoples, thus strengthening the cooperation in relevant industry.
Counselor Yao believed that the establishment of Confucius Institute at Moi University provided the medium for Kenyan local people to learn Chinese language and culture, the opportunities for more bilateral collaborations and a platform for promoting the relationship between our two countries and benefit for both nations.
Prior to the Unveiling Ceremony, Kenyan students together with volunteer teachers of Confucius Institute at Moi University performed songs, dances and martial arts with cultural characteristics of both countries. Their performances won rounds of applause and climaxed with the Unveiling Ceremony.
During the visit, Prof. Zhu and Prof. Mibey hosted the first Board Meeting of Confucius Institute. The board members listened to the reports from both co-directors on the operation, development and challenges faced by CI at Moi University and discussed on its work plan for 2015. In his address to the alumni during the first board meeting for Donghua University Kenyan Alumni Association, Prof. Zhu wished all of our alumni great achievements in your professional career and promised Donghua University be their permanent home in China.
Moi University is the second public university in Kenya and our partner in ‘Sino-African Universities 20+20 Cooperation Project’, programs including humanities, art, sciences, medicine, law, business and education with a student population of over 40,000. Chinese co-director, Prof. Zhao Xiaolin, launched the foundation of CI at Moi University starting last November. Currently there are more than 200 registered students for Chinese language. CI at Moi University devotes itself to various Chinese programs and cultural lectures alongside Chinese modern textile science and fashion design technology, thus training local professionals of textile and fashion design who can do business in Chinese and teaching Chinese language to local people and school pupils.