Kigali Institute of Education (KIE) in partnership with Confucius Institute from China, on Wednesday officially launched Chinese Language and Cultural Teaching course at KIE.

The course comes after a Memorandum of Understanding that was signed between Panda University from China and the institute.

"This is a great opportunity for KIE and all Rwandans. Learning Chinese is something I would advise anyone to do because China has the fastest growing economy in the world and soon, we shall all need to speak the language to move with the growing economy,” said Dr James Vuningoma, the Vice Rector in charge of academics.

Vuningoma also thanked the Chinese Embassy for the work they did in making the dream come true.

"The embassy helped in the construction of classes, offices and the library.”

The facility at which the centre is established is at the institute’s Remera-based campus. He also extended his gratitude to the students have taken to take up Chinese lessons.

"The number of students we have started with is quite impressive, 32 students is very good number,” Vuningoma added. He added that these students are part and parcel of KIE family, urging other Rwandans to take up the lessons.

"KIE is very privileged to have Confucius Institute. KIE is the only Institute in Rwanda to have Chinese language and cultural classes,” he said.

The function was also attended by the political Chancellor in the Chinese Embassy, Li Yigang, who welcomed the enthusiasm to learn Chinese language and culture shown by the people.

The diplomat added that learning Chinese is not only a tool but also a bridge with the people of the Republic of China.

One of the 32 students who have taken up Chinese classes, Denys Mukama, said that he is very grateful to be learning Chinese language and culture, underscoring that he has no regrets in doing so. He explained that Rwanda has a population of about ten million people while China has 1.3 billion.

"So even if all Rwandans visited China and distributed in Chinese families, most of the families would be left out. He also called upon many Rwandans to enrol at the centre, saying that Chinese will soon be a decisive language in the global economy.

Ends