Chinese Embassy rewards 11 Wisconsin College students
A political counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Accra, Mr Jiang Zhouteng, has called on Ghanaians to endeavour to study the Chinese language, Mandarin, to further deepen the bilateral, cultural and economic relations between both countries.
According to him, the Chinese language was spoken by 12.44 per cent of the world’s population, making it the world’s most widely spoken language.
“As China becomes the second largest economy in the world, its economy is flourishing with each passing day; therefore, learning Chinese does not only help a person to better understand the cultures of China but also helps in sharing in China’s development dividends,” he said.
Ambassador scholarships
Mr Zhouteng said that during the fifth awards ceremony of the Chinese Ambassador Scholarships to honour students of Wisconsin International University College (WIUC) Accra, who had excelled in a one-year language course in the school.
He added that a total of 1,006 Ghanaian students had so far won the Chinese government scholarships, with more than 5,500 of students studying in China.
“This ranks Ghana as the first African country with most people studying Chinese for four consecutive years,” he said.
Mr Zhouteng said China would continue to strengthen the solidarity and cooperation with developing countries while pursuing shared interests and creating a better future for mankind.
Awards
Eleven outstanding Chinese language students at WIUC were awarded with cash prizes.
They included Mr Nuarko Jackson Appiagyei and Louisa Anamuah, who received $150 each as the first prize for excelling in the language.
The other nine students were Akolgo Amwelmoo, Rexford Laryea Mensah, Jessica Akossiwa Malm, Yussif Hafissu and Denise Akuffo, who received $100 each.
The rest are Tijani Amadu Konate, Michelle Efe Bank, Wall Yakubu, Frank Lartey Quaye Lartey.
Significance
The Vice Chancellor of the college, Professor Obeng Mireko, said the occasion was not only to celebrate the outstanding performance of the students but also to build and deepen relations with China.
He said the promotion of the language would help build the country’s economy and relations with the international community.
“Mastering the language will make you a global citizen, expanding your world and making communication easier with the world,” he advised.