The Chinese Embassy in Madagascar offered the "Chinese Ambassador Scholarship" to 53 students Sunday at the Confucius Institute at Tamatave University.

The event were attended by Chinese Ambassador to Madagascar Yang Xiaorong, Vice President of Tamatave University Emile, the Director of Confucius Institute at Tamatave University and nearly 100 teachers and students.

"Chinese is one of the six official languages of the United Nations and one of the most populous languages in the world," the Chinese Ambassador said in her speech.

"It is one of the most popular world languages. More and more Malagasy people, especially young friends, are learning Chinese, the Ambassador said, adding that that "China and Chinese culture is being recognized by everyone, but also proved that the friendship between China and Madagascar continue to deepen."

Emile said that the Confucius Institute has been fully integrated into the University of Tamatave and the school will continue to place the Confucius Institute at the heart of the University of Tamatave, believing that cooperation between the two sides will deepen the friendship between the two countries.

The president of the Confucius Institute at Tamatave university said that offering of "Chinese Ambassador Scholarship" can inspire Malagasy students and the public to further learn Chinese and understand the interest of Chinese culture, enhance the influence of Confucius Institute.

The "Chinese Ambassador Scholarship" is a scholarship program set up by the Chinese Embassy in Madagascar for Confucius Institutes and Chinese teaching sites in Madagascar. 

Source by: chinaplus.cri.cn

KIGALI, June 16 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Embassy in Rwanda on Friday made donation to a local organization, Imbuto Foundation, to support the latter's efforts in helping children from vulnerable backgrounds.

Rao Hongwei (R), the Chinese ambassador to Rwanda, and Imbuto Foundation's director general Sandrine Umutoni, attend a donating ceremony in Kigali, capital of Rwanda, on June 16, 2017. The Chinese Embassy in Rwanda on Friday made donation to a local organization, Imbuto Foundation, to support the latter's efforts in helping children from vulnerable backgrounds. One hundred children who have shown great academic achievements will benefit from the donation through the foundation's scholarship program "Edified Generation". (Xinhua/Lyu Tianran)

One hundred children who have shown great academic achievements will benefit from the donation through the foundation's scholarship program "Edified Generation".

"The partnership between Imbuto foundation and China has been going on for a few years, we are very happy to have this kind of cooperation," the foundation's director general Sandrine Umutoni told Xinhua.

"The Chinese embassy can understand the mission of the government and the foundation, and importance of providing education for all is something we very value a lot," said Umutoni.

The scholarship program was initiated in 2003 with an objective to financially support students from economically vulnerable backgrounds in their pursuit of education.

Beneficiaries of the program receive assistance to help pay for their living costs in boarding schools, school uniforms and other school supplies. Each year, through an annual holiday camp, the scholars are equipped with entrepreneurship, public speaking, leadership and other life skills, among many topics.

Over the last 15 years, more than 7,000 scholarships have been awarded to secondary school boys and girls through the program.

The Rwanda government pays attention to education and equipping people with skills when the country is not rich, which show that the country has visionary state leaders, and will have a bright future, said Rao Hongwei, the Chinese ambassador to Rwanda.

The embassy has long term cooperation with Imbuto Foundation which has made great efforts in helping children with vulnerable backgrounds, cultivating employment skills and etc., said the envoy, adding that through cooperation, the embassy hopes to help poor Rwandan children have better education, to help youth improve their skills and personal qualities.

The donation was made under the China-Africa People-to-People Friendship Action. The action, officially launched by the Chinese government in 2013, aims at encouraging and supporting non-governmental organizations and women, teenagers and civil organizations from the two countries to develop exchanges and cooperation.

Established in 2001, Imbuto Foundation, chaired by Rwandan First Lady Jeannette Kagame, has implemented diverse health, education, youth and economic empowerment programs for different groups of Rwandan people.

Source by: news.xinhuanet.com

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi over economic cooperation and regional developments.

The meeting, held at Al Husseiniya Palace, focused on means to further enhance investment and economic cooperation between Jordan and China, which this year marked the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties, according to a Royal Court statement. 

King Abdullah and the Chinese official also went over investment opportunities in the Kingdom’s vital sectors, mainly tourism, phosphate, potash, energy and transport, as well as ways to encourage Chinese businessmen and tourists to visit Jordan.

They discussed the establishment of a Jordanian-Chinese technical university and reviewed the latest developments in the Middle East, mainly the Palestinian-Israeli peace process and the Syrian crisis.

King Abdullah and the Chinese official stressed the importance of intensifying efforts to find comprehensive political solutions to the regional crises, in a way that can restore security and stability to its peoples.

The talks also addressed regional and international efforts to fight terrorism within a holistic approach as terrorism threatens global peace and stability.

The Chinese minister conveyed the greetings of Chinese President Xi Jinping to His Majesty and voiced his country’s appreciation of Jordan’s pivotal role under King Abdullah’s leadership, to preserve regional stability and clarify the true image of Islam, the Royal Court statement said. 

Royal Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh and Foreign Affairs Minister Ayman Safadi attended the meeting.

Also on Thursday, Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi met with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, with whom he discussed ways to cooperate in advancing regional stability based on their unified stance towards the regional crises.

Safadi reaffirmed the need to reach peaceful solutions to the crises in Palestine and Syria.

The two ministers highlighted the two-state solution as the sole  feasible solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and a prerequisite to regional stability.

They also called for an immediate ceasefire in all Syria, underlining the need to hold talks with all concerned parties to find a political solution that will bring safety and stability to Syria and its people.

Speaking at a joint press conference held at the Foreign Ministry, Safadi said the two officials agreed that the fight against terrorism in the region must continue at the political, military and cultural levels.

He underlined Jordan’s support to the one-China policy, adding that Jordan is committed to doing what is needed to translate this principle on the ground.

For his side, Yi said external interferences in the internal affairs of countries in the region escalate tensions, urging the international community to dedicate more attention and efforts to support development in the Middle East to address the threat of terrorism more effectively.

He also noted that conflicting geopolitical interests hinder the progress towards a political solution to the Syrian crisis. 

On the Palestinian issue, he said: “China stands firmly with its Arab friends in this conflict”. 

Commenting on the recent rift between Arab Gulf countries, the two officials said Gulf countries are capable of addressing their conflicting views, and expressed hope these countries would overcome the current difficulties.

Regarding bilateral ties, Safadi said the 40 years of diplomatic relations between Jordan and China have contributed to cooperation at many levels and a “true partnership”.

China is Jordan’s second largest trade partner and the kingdom’s biggest exporter, Safadi said, citing vital Chinese investments in the fields of energy, infrastructure, electricity and transportation.  

Source by: jordantimes.com

Yi expressed his country’s keenness to increase cooperation with Jordan, adding that China, which has the second largest economy in the world, is committed to sustaining its support to Jordan’s development in light of the pressure of hosting Syrian refugees.

He added that many Chinese tourists have been visiting Jordan recently, expecting more visitors to come to Jordan in the near future.

Peshawar, June 18: A China Study Centre ,offering specialized courses of Chinese language and culture, has been established at the University of Peshawar by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, state media reported.

A Memorandum of Understanding in regard was signed with North West University XI’AN of CChina for academic collaboration during Silk Road Education Cooperation Fair, recently held in China.

According to the MOU, faculty and student exchanges between University of Peshawar of Pakistan and North West University XI’AN of China will take place. Official sources said both the varsities would jointly work on research projects through academic cooperation. The centre will also strengthen existing Pakistan-China friendship.

After the launch of China Pakistan Economic Corridor, universities from both countries have strengthened academic linkages , boosted exchange programmes and launched joint projects for win-win cooperation.

Source by: nihao-salam.com

GABORONE, June 16 -- Chinese medical equipment worth 100,000 U.S. dollars were donated Friday to Nyangabgwe Hospital in Francistown, some 430 km northeast of Botswana's capital Gaborone.

Orthopaedic consumables used in treating bone-fractured patients were donated by member of the 14th China Medical Team Dr. Huang Yixiong and Xiamen Double Commerce Medical Technology chief executive officer Lin Zhixiong.

"The charitable activity of these two Chinese citizens is a vivid display of solid friendship between China and Botswana," said Wang Bangfu, Political Counselor of Chinese Embassy at the handover ceremony.

"What makes this donation unique is that it is from private citizens instead of government or institutions. I believe that with our joint efforts, China and Botswana will certainly have a brighter future in health cooperation," he said.

Receiving the donated medical equipment, Deputy Permanent Secretary in Botswana's Ministry of Health and Wellness John Botsang said the cooperation between Botswana and the People's Republic of China goes back more than three decades.

"As this relationship gradually grew, not only did they (Chinese medical experts) provide specialist services but also contribute immensely in donating various items such as medical equipment, medical books and other items like televisions," said Botsang.

For over three decades, the Chinese government has been sending medical specialists to work in Botswana for a rotating period of two years.

Source by: en.people.cn

Islamabad, July 17: The first Pakistan-China Forum on Higher Education was held at Air University, Islamabad, to boost greater cooperation between the academia of the two countries under China Pakistan economic Corridor (CPEC) which has added new momentum to the time-tested China Pakistan cooperative partnership.

Education experts, scholars,researchers, policy makers and students from China and Pakistan attended the forum, jointly organized by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan and China Association of Higher Education. 

The forum started with a welcome note from the Vice Chancellor, Air University, AVM (R) Faaiz Amir and a scholarly exposition of the theme by Lt. Gen. (R) Muhammad Asghar, Consultant CPEC at HEC.

Speaking at the forum Ms.Xiaomei Wang,the leader of the Chinese educational delegation, highlighted the need for greater cooperation between the academia of China and Pakistan. She also the policy makers to boost academic exchanges and joint research projects between between Higher Education bodies of the two countries for scientific collaboration in various areas.

Islamabad (July 17, 2017): Vice Chancellor of Air University, AVM (R) Faaiz Amir presenting souvenir to Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Reform Prof. Ahsan Iqbal on the occasion of Pakistan-China Forum, held at Air University, Islamabad.

Highlighting the educational opportunities under China Pakistan economic Corridor (CPEC) in his inaugural address,Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Prof. Ahsan Iqbal said “CPEC means Pakistan’s entry into the global supply chain,”.

 Ahsan Iqbal further said that the current government is fully supportive of higher education commission aimed at capacity building of existing HEIs ( higher education institutes) to prepare suitable human resource for CPEC and promote cultural harmony between the two countries.

Islamabad (July 17, 2017): Vice Chancellor of Air University, AVM (R) Faaiz Amir presenting souvenir to Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Reform Prof. Ahsan Iqbal on the occasion of Pakistan-China Forum, held at Air University, Islamabad.

He also appreciated the efforts of the Higher Education Commission for building CPEC University Alliance and CPEC Consortium of Business Schools. “These efforts will help build collaborative linkages and intellectual connectivity which symbolize the spirit of CPEC,” he said. The minister welcomed the Chinese Scholars to Pakistan which he hoped will explore new avenues of mutual cooperation between the two countries.

Islamabad (July 17, 2017): Vice Chancellor of Air University, AVM (R) Faaiz Amir presenting souvenir to Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Reform Prof. Ahsan Iqbal on the occasion of Pakistan-China Forum, held at Air University, Islamabad.

Earlier, in his address, the Executive Director of HEC, Dr Arshad Ali thanked the Minister for his wholehearted support for higher education, which he emphasized in not a goal but a pre-requisite in a knowledge-based economy. The Forum focused on three areas: National Role and Contribution in Improving Quality of Higher Education; Ensuring Quality with Large-scale Increase in Access; and Balancing Quality of Higher Education in Diverse Regions. 

Islamabad (July 17, 2017): Vice Chancellor of Air University, AVM (R) Faaiz Amir presenting souvenir to Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Reform Prof. Ahsan Iqbal on the occasion of Pakistan-China Forum, held at Air University, Islamabad.

The one-day forum on “Challenges of Equitable Access and Quality in Higher Education” was also addressed by eminent speakers from the higher education bodies of the two countries, and attended by a large number of educationists and students.

By Muhammad Arif

BEIJING, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Born on the Java island of Indonesia, Hendy Yuniarto used to be surrounded by seas and mountains, even active volcanoes. He never imagined that one day he would live in a dry and cold place such as Beijing.

However, this became a reality after he graduated from Indonesia's Gadjah Mada University with a master's degree in linguistics and cultural science.

NEW OPPORTUNITY, NEW LIFE

After working as a lecturer and a journalist for a local newspaper for a couple of years, Yuniarto joined an education exchange program between China and Indonesia, and got a job opportunity to move to China to teach Indonesian culture and language at the Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) in 2015.

"I want to make my students and Chinese people know my country more, not just Bali island," Yuniarto said, laughing.

"I also want to learn Chinese," he said. "China has such a rich culture as well as a long history."

Meanwhile, Myat Thiri, a young biotechnology scientist from Myanmar's former Science and Technology Ministry, got the chance to come to China under the Talented Young Scientist Program (TYSP) of China's Science and Technology Ministry.

Thiri joined the bioremediation research team of Professor Yang Yunan from China's Beihang University from October 2015 to April 2017, and conducted many ecological inspections, pollution source investigations, and microorganism experiments.

"My specific scientific job was to find the relationship between the outbreak of isopods and mangroves dying-off. I enjoyed my job and have learned a lot from my Chinese colleagues," Thiri said.

"After working and studying together for 18 months, we have a lot of happy memories," said Yang, Thiri's mentor, adding "We also found that Thiri has many good qualities for us to learn from."

"For example, from July 2016 to February 2017, we conducted ecological investigation and sampling at the mangrove natural reserve area at Hainan's Dongzhai Port three times. Under harsh conditions such as heat, sunburn and muddiness, Thiri always worked hard and with pleasure. She was also very helpful to others and willing to share her expertise and experiences with others," Yang said.

Yuniarto's life as a teacher in Beijing also suits him well. While he is teaching, Yuniarto likes to combine Indonesian culture with language. He wants his students to learn his mother tongue in the context of Indonesian culture and history.

"I enjoy what I am doing very much because I feel proud to introduce my country to my students," the young man said.

GETTING TO KNOW CHINA

Yuniarto also very much enjoys his leisure time in Beijing. He loves visiting Beijing's historical places, such as the Great Wall, the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven, the hutongs and the Forbidden City.

He also loves Chinese movies, especially Kungfu films. "I am a big fan of Jackie Chan!" he said.

To fully understand Chinese culture and history, Yuniarto joins in all sorts of traditional Chinese festivals, such as the Lantern Festival, the Tomb-Sweeping Day, and above all, the Spring Festival.

"Chinese culture influences people's daily lives in many activities, especially how they respect their parents and the elderly," he said.

Similarly, in her spare time, Thiri took tours in and around the city of Beijing and to Hainan Island in south China. "When I was young, I always wanted to see how huge the Great Wall of China is. I enjoyed the sceneries of China."

FUTURE PLANS

Currently working as a research officer at an environmental lab of the Biotechnology Research Department under Myanmar's Education Ministry in Yangon, Thiri thinks her work experience in China has helped her a lot in her current job.

"I can apply that knowledge in my research field," she said.

Cai Jianing, deputy director-general of the Department of International Cooperation under the Chinese Science and Technology Ministry, said that since the ministry initiated the TYSP in 2013, more than 200 young scientists from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Mongolia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Egypt and other countries have come to China to participate in China's scientific research work, greatly promoting the exchanges of scientific and technological researchers among countries along the Belt and Road, and helping cultivate many international ringleaders in science and technology.

"Our next step is to further promote the scientific and technological exchanges between China and the countries along the Belt and Road, jointly establish experiment labs, enhance cooperation among science parks of Belt and Road countries, and speed up technology transfers," Cai said.

As for Yuniarto, he still wants to live a few more years in Beijing before returning to his home country.

"My current Chinese level is only intermediate, so my future plan is to continue my studies here in China, especially for a Ph.D. program in Chinese culture," he said."Then I will come back to my country, and teach Indonesian students and people Chinese language and culture."

In the past few years, China has been expanding educational cooperation with the countries along the Belt and Road, with many foreign scholars and students like Yuniarto participating in it.

Statistics showed that till this April, China has signed 45 bilateral and multilateral cooperation agreements with Belt and Road countries, and signed mutual recognition agreements on academic degree and diploma with 24 Belt and Road countries.

Tian Xuejun, vice minister of the Chinese Education Ministry, said that during the process of "heart to heart connection" among the people in Belt and Road countries, education serves as a glue, a catalyst, and a lubricant.

"Education is a fundamental subject and has a characteristic of nourishing all softly," Tian said. "That's why educational exchange is getting increasingly important."

The ratio of Chinese workers with a plan for further education is double that of workers in the United States, a survey by U.S.-based networking website LinkedIn has found.

As many as 98 percent of Chinese workers said they aspire to take educational programs, either degree programs or skills courses, according to a report published on Thursday.

A 2015 LinkedIn survey of workers in the U.S. found only 49 percent wanted more education.

Among the workers who intend to pursue advanced studies, 65 percent of Chinese respondents said they will carry out the plan within one year, compared with 51 percent of the U.S. respondents who wanted more.

Nearly half of the Chinese workers who desire further education said they will spend more than 100,000 yuan (US$14,700) to follow through. It takes an average of 100 days from having such an idea to paying the tuition, according to the survey.

More than 500 people took the online survey, which was conducted by LinkedIn in January.

The top three reasons given by Chinese workers for adding to their education were to improve their professional skills, make themselves more competitive and enrich their life experience.

Only 21 percent of Chinese respondents said they wanted further education to get a higher salary, which was the top choice－ticked by 54 percent of the respondents globally, according to a LinkedIn survey two years ago.

"Chinese workers, especially the middle-aged ones who have reached a certain point in their career paths, show incredible passion for further education. They have a strong consciousness of crisis and want to have more control of their career development," said Zhou Xiaodan, head of marketing solutions for LinkedIn China.

The survey also found that 4 in 10 Chinese workers preferred online education to a traditional classroom when considering programs for a career boost.

Among those who favored online education, 85 percent said it is more flexible and 64 percent said it doesn't require them to stop working.

Nearly 70 percent of women wanted to take language courses online, and 60 percent of men aimed to pick up skill training, according to the survey.

Experts believe that as technology in big data and video transmission continues to advance, the online education market will continue to boom.

Twenty percent annual growth has been seen in the online education market on the Chinese mainland since 2013, when the market size was nearly 84 billion yuan, according to local consultancy iResearch. It is expected to break 200 billion yuan in 2018.

Source by: china.org.cn