On October 26, 2024, the opening ceremony of the Educators’ Delegation of the Confucius Classroom at the State University of Zanzibar, Tanzania, was held at Zhejiang Normal University in Jinhua.
Representatives from Zhejiang Normal University were present. Lv Yingchun, the Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the university, Wu Qiang, Deputy Director of the International Office and Director of the Language Cooperation Center, and other relevant project leaders all participated in the ceremony.
The delegation was led by Mohamed Makame Haji, president of the State University of Zanzibar. It also consisted of 11 educators and officials from other Zanzibar universities and government departments. The ceremony was presided over by Xiang Wei, Secretary of the Party Committee of the College of Foreign Languages.
At the beginning of the meeting, Lv Yingchun extended a warm welcome to the Zanzibar delegation. She gave an overview of Zhejiang Normal University, covering its development history, unique features in school-running, and international achievements. She also emphasized China-Tanzania exchanges in various fields and expressed high expectations for cultural and educational cooperation between the two sides. She mentioned the “Dar es Salaam Consensus on China-Africa Cooperation”, which was jointly released by the university and over 300 scholars from 50 African countries at the 13th China-Africa Think Tank Forum in Dar es Salaam this year and received acclaim across China-Africa. She also noted that General Secretary Xi Jinping sent a letter to scholars from 50 African countries, including an honorary professor at the university’s Institute of African Studies, which encourages them to support the building of a high- level China-Africa community with a shared future.
Lv Yingchun pointed out that in recent years, the university has had close exchanges with Tanzania. The Confucius Institutes and Classrooms established together have achieved remarkable results. In the past two years, the independent Confucius Classroom at the State University of Zanzibar has organized more than 20 Chinese cultural activities, reaching over 1,500 people, promoting cultural exchange. This year, the university has also enrolled an international Chinese teacher scholarship student from the Zanzibar Confucius Classroom.
Subsequently, Wu Qiang welcomed the delegation. He said that the Zanzibar State University’s Confucius Classroom has been operating well since its establishment two years ago. He thanked President Muhammad Haji, the college dean, and volunteer teachers for their support. He also noted that China is Tanzania’s important trading partner, and as economic and trade exchanges and people-to-people exchanges deepen, there is an increasing need for local Chinese-language talents. Establishing an undergraduate Chinese - language program is crucial for the sustainable development of the Confucius Classroom.
Mohammad Haji expressed his gratitude to Zhejiang Normal University for the warm reception and arrangements. He said that China and Tanzania have a long-standing friendship and close cooperation, and the Confucius Classroom is an important milestone in educational and cultural exchanges between the two universities. It offers local students an opportunity to learn Chinese and experience Chinese culture. Currently, some Zanzibar schools have included Chinese in their curricula. He promised to support the Confucius Classroom in the future, expand its influence, set up diverse Chinese - language programs, and consider introducing advanced language courses, cultural workshops, and exchange programs. He hoped that the two universities would expand cooperation and become a model for China - Tanzania cooperation.
At the end of the ceremony, Lv Yingchun and Mohammad Haji exchanged gifts on behalf of their respective universities and took a group photo.
Before the ceremony, the delegation visited Zhejiang Normal University’s Law School, learning about law curricula and scholarship applications. At the College of Engineering, they showed great interest in practical training courses at the Rail Transit and Intelligent Manufacturing Industry - Education Integrated Training Base, such as rail transit systems, robotics, and 3D printing, and looked forward to future cooperation. They also visited the affiliated primary and secondary schools to learn about their curricula and extracurricular activities like labor practice classes.
In addition, the delegation will conduct field trips. Besides visiting Beijing’s Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and Tiananmen Square, they will also explore ancient villages and streets in Jinhua, Yiwu Trade City, Hangzhou’s West Lake, and Shanghai’s Nanjing Road and the Bund. This will enable them to experience China’s long - standing history, culture, urban construction, high - speed rail speed, convenient urban transport, and mobile payment, and feel the blend of tradition and modernity in China.
Members of the delegation said that their China trip was very successful, and they look forward to promoting China-Tanzania educational and cultural exchanges in the future.
