China's impact on Namibian education

Namibia has enjoyed a long and fruitful partnership with China in the realm of education, marked by generous scholarships and initiatives that have significantly bolstered the quality of education in the country. These initiatives, sponsored by the Chinese government, have not only opened doors for Namibian students to access top-notch education opportunities in China but have also fostered academic collaborations and cultural exchange through the Confucius Institute situated at the University of Namibia’s main campus.According to the Chinese Embassy, since 1994, 389 Namibian students and scholars have been awarded Chinese government scholarships, enabling pursuits in various academic disciplines in Chinese universities. The scholarships include the China Scholarship Council&#039;s (CSC) scholarship, China’s Ministry of Commerce&#039;s (MOFCOM) scholarship, and the Confucius Institute Scholarship. These scholarships encompass the full spectrum of educational costs, including tuition, accommodation, and living expenses.“Receiving the prestigious MOFCOM scholarship from China to pursue my Master&#039;s in International Business has already had a profound influence on my career goals and aspirations. Even though I am still in my final year, this remarkable opportunity continues to shape my career aspirations and offer a host of significant benefits. Studying in an international environment allowed me to gain a broader global perspective. Interacting with classmates from diverse backgrounds and cultures exposed me to different viewpoints and ways of thinking. This has been invaluable as I work in the field of taxation, where understanding various perspectives is crucial,” said senior tax officer at the Namibia Revenue Agency (Namra) and MOFCOM scholarship recipient Fabian de Kock.Educational infrastructure and cultural exchangesChina&#039;s involvement extends beyond scholarships. Various initiatives have been implemented, with a focus on enhancing educational infrastructure and teacher development. Financial investments exceeding more than N$1 billion have been made in Namibian education. These investments include the construction of rural schools, classrooms, and educational facilities. Notable projects include the construction of the Chairman Mao Zedong High School valued at N$227.5 million, the China Tianjiu Happiness Hope Primary School and the Namibia National Youth Training Centre (Phases I and II), enhancing educational infrastructure.Launched in Omaheke Region, the China Tianjiu Happiness Hope Primary School was the 23rd Hope Primary School under the China-Africa Hope Project. It was built with a donation of N$15 million and provides educational facilities for nearly 600 students. The Namibia National Youth Training Centre, located 30 kilometres from Grootfontein in central Namibia, includes various facilities such as an administration building, teaching spaces, dormitories, and a 400-metre standard playground. The total investment in Phase I was RMB 90.9 million (N$ 230 million), and it was handed over to Namibia in May 2015. Phase II, completed in June 2019, further expanded the centre, making it the largest training centre in Namibia. Additionally, China also invested N$25 million worth of lab equipment in the School of Engineering and Information Technology at the University of Namibia.Critical learning opportunitiesThe Confucius Institutes, present in universities and educational institutions worldwide, serve as cultural hubs promoting Chinese language and culture. In Namibia, these institutes offer Chinese language courses, organise cultural events, and run programmes that facilitate a deeper understanding of China."In order to strengthen cultural cooperation, the University of Namibia has entered into agreements with the Chinese Embassy to establish a joint institute for teaching Mandarin as a foreign language. The last area of cooperation is joint research projects in mutually agreed-upon areas, which may include institutional development. Bilateral and multilateral agreements with various states are one of the critical instruments to strengthen Namibia’s academic and technical capabilities through exposure to different approaches to teaching and research as well as different operating environments where different technological applications could be used," said Alfred Van Kent, the executive director of higher education in Namibia.The Confucius Institute at Unam offers Mandarin as a credit-bearing subject at the university. Beyond that, it offers evening classes for employees who have an interest in learning Chinese. The classes not only teach the language but also introduce students to Chinese traditional festivals, providing them with a hands-on cultural experience.“Every year, the Confucius Institute offers various programmes that provide Namibian students with the opportunity to study in China. For instance, in June of this year, we sent 17 students to China for a two-week programme. These experiences are immensely enriching and allow our students to interact with other international Chinese learners, fostering a global perspective. In addition, our Chinese-speaking competitions offer a unique chance for our students to showcase their language skills, and winners are awarded a semester of scholarship support,” Unam’s spokesperson, Simon Namesho, said.To be eligible for the scholarships, students are required to achieve a minimum of HSK level 3 or level 4 proficiency in the Chinese language.Continued learning for everyoneNamesho explained that full scholarships are extended to interested staff members of the university to further pursue their master’s or PhD degrees in China. “Several Unam staff members have successfully obtained their master&#039;s or PhD degrees with the support of these scholarships and have returned to Unam to continue their teaching roles,” he added.China’s commitment to Namibian education aligns with President Xi Jinping&#039;s vision for Africa-China cooperation. To chart the course for China-Africa practical cooperation in the next stage and assist in Africa’s integration and modernisation, President Xi Jinping made proposals at the China-Africa Leaders’ Dialogue in Johannesburg in August earlier this year to launch the plan for China-Africa cooperation on talent development.Under the Plan for China-Africa Cooperation on Talent Development, China will annually train 500 principals, 10 000 technical personnel, and invite 20 000 government officials and technicians from African countries for workshops, fostering educational growth.

China's impact on Namibian education

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Namibian Sun 2024-12-17

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China's impact on Namibian education

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Namibian Sun 2024-12-17

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