MULTAN: For the first time students of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture (MNSUA) in Multan will have an opportunity to learn Chinese language under the supervision of Chinese teachers from the Hebei University, situated in Baoding city of Hebei province in China.
Reportedly, the joint venture between MNSUA and Hebei Institute of International Business and Economics aims to strengthen bilateral relationship between China and Pakistan.
In this regard, the MNSUA Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Asif Ali informed that the Chinese native speaker Mr. Mohan Taye, from the Hebei University, would teach the course of Chinese language.
He emphasised on the importance of learning Chinese as it would enable the people of two countries to interact with each other in an effective way.
He said that students would need to pass the Chinese Proficiency Test of HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi), an international standardised exam which tests and rates Chinese language proficiency, to be eligible for acquiring scholarships from China.
He further informed that Confucius Institute would soon be established in MNSUA, and that a faculty exchange programme would be initiated to allow students of both universities to enhance their knowledge and learning capabilities, thereby fostering the academia for advanced research and development.
“The joint venture will enable students to pursue employment opportunities in Pakistan as well as proceed for jobs and higher education in China,” he said.
He said that the lectures of Chinese language would include textbooks, workbooks, powerful audio-visual learning aids, digital text and graphics, and assured that if students would practice thoroughly, they would certainly achieve fluency in the language.
While urging the students to avail this golden opportunity, he said that students would be permitted to gain maximum benefits from China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as they would be able to work as interpreters with Chinese officials working on the projects.
He expressed hope that the innovative collaboration between the institutes of two countries would bring prosperity, development and employment opportunities for skillful youths.
Published in Daily Times, August 12th 2018.