UoN student wins 23rd Chinese Proficiency Competition Division finals

Lawrence Kamau Gachuru from the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi on Tuesday emerged as the winner of the 23rd Chinese proficiency competition for college students Kenya division finals. 

Gachuru emerged the winner in the competition themed 'One World One Family',  involving 20 students from other universities across the country. 

He termed it unbelievable that he emerged as the winner in the stiff competition. 

"It was really unbelievable. It has been quite a journey and I thank God for I could not have done this without him," he said.

Gachuru said he enjoyed the entire competition from giving a speech in Mandarin to showcasing a talent that touched on the Chinese culture and a Q and A session. 

He said he has been studying Mandarin since 2022 at the UoN Confucius Institute. 

Following his win, Gachuru will later represent Kenya at the global contest in China. 

"I have never been to China but I am eager to go there," Gachuru said. 

The competition was hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Kenya and Confucius Institutes from four universities across the country with sponsorship from tech firms.  

The University of Nairobi Vice-Chancellor Stephen Kiama said the Chinese language competition has gained recognition globally in cultural and education stages. 

He said nearly 200 students were competing at the campus level from different institutions at the beginning, but only 20 had made it to the finals. 

"The Chinese language serves as a way to connect students globally," Kiama said.

Other competitors were from Strathmore University, Egerton, Moi Kenyatta University and USIU. 

Chinese Embassy in Kenya Minister Counselor Zhang Zhizhong through such competitions, Kenya and China are building a shared future. 

" But we can not build this community with a shared future without a common language," he said.