Recently, the first group of staff from YSU has successfully taken up their posts at the Confucius Institute at Botswana International University of Science and Technology (CIBIUST). The University hosted a welcome ceremony for the Chinese team, followed by a cordial meeting with Prof. Otlogetswe Totolo, Vice Chancellor of BIUST.
The welcome ceremony was attended by Mr. Elisha Shemang, Deputy Vice Chancellor of BIUST and Chairman of the Botswanan Advisory Board of the Confucius Institute, and Ms. Patricia Makepe, Dean of the School of Business and Professional Development at BIUST. Both of them delivered speeches at the ceremony, in which they highlighted that the mission of CIBIUST is to teach Chinese language and culture, bolster the employability of BIUST graduates, and foster socio-economic, educational, and commercial ties between Botswana and China. They also expected great outcomes from a mutually beneficial partnership between YSU and BIUST. Gao Yingze, the Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute, spoke on behalf of the YSU team at the ceremony. In his speech, he conveyed the team's appreciation for the hospitality of BIUST. He highlighted that the Confucius Institute represents a significant milestone in educational cooperation between our two universities, and serves as a conduit for deepening bilateral relations between China and Botswana. He stated that, with concerted efforts, the Confucius Institute, jointly built by our two universities, will flourish and thrive, exerting a profound and enduring impact on language and cultural exchanges, and fostering mutual understanding between our peoples.
Prof. Otlogetswe Totolo met cordially with the YSU work team assigned to CIBIUST. In the meeting, Prof. Totolo touched on Botswana's history and the university's development. He articulated his aspirations for the advancement of Chinese language and cultural education at BIUST. Also, he envisioned a future where the two universities will collaborate closely and achieve greatness together, contributing our collective wisdom and strength to the community of a shared future for humanity.
Prof. Otlogetswe Totolo meets with the YSU work team assigned to the Confucius Institute
Upon arrival, the YSU team was invited to attend local events, including the BIUST freshman orientation and the annual Cultural Day. The team's objective is to enhance the local presence of the Confucius Institute and attract more local students and the public at large to learn Chinese.
The work team attends the freshman orientation and answers questions about Chinese language courses
The first YSU team dispatched to CIBIUST comprises four members: the Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute Gao Yingze, and international Chinese language education volunteers Zhang Chenchen, Zhang Chunhui, and Guo Wenrui. An additional member, Gao Yingna, is expected to join the team once all requisite formalities have been completed.
