Chinese ambassador Guo Haiyan speaks during the event at the University of Nairobi on May 7,2025/COURTESY The Kenyan government has reaffirmed its commitment to integrating the Chinese language into the national education curriculum.
Higher Education and Research Secretary Carol Hunja announced on Wednesday that a technical committee has been working diligently to ensure the initiative’s success.
Hunja made the remarks during the launch of the 24th Chinese Bridge–Chinese Proficiency Competition for college students and the Chinese Ambassador Scholarship Awards at the University of Nairobi.
She represented Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala at the event.
Praising the growing educational ties between Kenya and China, Hunja noted that introducing Chinese language studies would open up new opportunities for Kenyan students in areas such as trade, diplomacy and cultural exchange.
“The world is becoming increasingly interconnected and proficiency in foreign languages like Chinese will equip our youth with critical skills for the global job market,” she said.
A total of 19 contestants participated in the finals of the competition, themed “One World, One Family”.
The annual event, organised by the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi, attracted 200 participants from 10 Kenyan colleges and universities.
This year’s edition was open to both Confucius institutes and non-Confucius institutes.
The Chinese Bridge competition is an annual platform for non-native Chinese speakers, primarily college students, to showcase their Chinese language proficiency through speeches, talent performances, and quizzes.
The competition is structured in two rounds—preliminary and finals (Kenya division)—with the national winner earning a spot in the global finals in China, while the runner-up will attend as an observer.
The official at the same highlighted the growing educational collaboration between Kenya and China.
She noted that during last year’s World Chinese Language Education Conference in Beijing, the Ministries of Education of both countries signed a cooperation agreement to promote joint Chinese language education in Kenya.
“This marked a new milestone in the cooperation between the two countries in Chinese language education,” she said.
This, while adding that the agreement will drive the integration of Chinese language studies into Kenya’s primary and secondary schools, creating more opportunities for students to learn Chinese and raising the overall standard of Chinese education in the country.
Some of judges and students during the competition at the University of Nairobi on May 7, 2025/DOUGLAS OKIDDY Present during the event were Chinese ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan and University of Nairobi's acting Vice Chancellor Prof Margaret Hutchinson, among other senior officials.
Guo on her part praised participants of the Chinese Bridge competition, calling their language skills a “living bridge” between the two cultures.
“You are the future of China-Kenya relations,” he said. “Together, let’s build a future where knowledge knows no borders, and friendship knows no end.”
She noted that Ruto’s recent state visit to China elevated ties to a “China-Kenya Community with a Shared Future for the New Era,” with education and youth exchanges as key pillars.
According to Guo, the scholarship is a step toward this vision, investing in youth, nurturing dreams, and building bridges of understanding.
This year, 30 university students received scholarships under the programme.
“This ceremony celebrates not just academic excellence, but the shared aspirations and growing friendship between China and Kenya,” she said.
Hutchinson lauded the Chinese government’s commitment to supporting Chinese language learning in Kenya.
“Over the past 20 years, the Chinese government has provided scholarships to more than 1,000 Kenyan students to study in China,” she said.
Beneficiaries include students from the University of Nairobi, Egerton University, Moi University, Kenyatta University, Machakos University, Turkana University College, Maseno University, among others.
Prof. Hutchinson announced that this year, the university will recommend 50 students for regular scholarships and an additional 23 students for the “2+2” scholarship programme, which allows students to complete their first two years of undergraduate study in China and the remaining two years at a Kenyan university.
University of Nairobi acting vice chancellor Prof Margaret Hutchinson speaks during the event/UON“These opportunities will not only enhance language skills but also foster deeper cross-cultural understanding and professional development among our students,” she added.
Hunja also acknowledged the Chinese Embassy’s role in supporting underprivileged students through scholarships. “Over the years, the Chinese Ambassador Scholarship Programme has enabled many students to realise their dreams of completing their education,” she said.
