"The Chinese Language Council International (HANBAN) and Xiamen University have reportedly donated a Chinese Cultural Research Centre to the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Anambra State.

During the opening of the centre last week, the Cultural Attache of the Chinese Embassy in Abuja, Mr. Xiang Dong hailed the university management, saying the centre will strengthen the Nigeria-China relationship.

He said the Confucius Institute established at the university after signing the MoU has improved understanding of Chinese language among young people.

Dong also added that China’s investment in Nigeria would continue to grow, adding that this will aid the development of Nigeria.

Vice Chancellor of UNIZIK, Prof Joseph Ahaneku said the MoU was signed to promote research on China and scholarly exchanges between Nigeria and China. He added that these will include the teaching of Chinese language and culture in the university and conducting Chinese Language Proficiency Tests.

Ahaneku said many students of the school are presently studying different disciplines in various Chinese universities through scholarships by Chinese government. He added that there had been staff exchange between the university and Xiamen University.

According to Ahaneku, arrangements are in top gear to deploy staff to teach Igbo language and culture in Xiamen University to reciprocate the gesture. He said UNIZIK was honoured to be first school to host Chinese Cultural Research Centre in Nigeria.

The Director of the Centre, Prof Caroline Umeobi, assured the Chinese government that the personnel working in the institute would live up to expectation.

source: PulseNG