A TOTAL of 132 students and teachers have won the 7th China Ambassador’s awards for making special contributions to learning and teaching Chinese language in 2024.

The awards that were established in 2018, aim at cementing further the bilateral ties between the two countries on cultural aspects.

Speaking in Dar es Salaam on Thursday during the award issuing ceremony, Ambassador of China to Tanzania Chen Mingjian said learning mandarin is key towards embracing various opportunities brought by the existing bilateral ties.

“It is a great pleasure to congratulate 132 teachers and students who have made special contributions to Chinese language teaching or excelled in Chinese language learning in 2024 and won the awards. The winners are from the University of Dar es Salaam, the University of Dodoma, Muslim University of Morogoro, the State University of Zanzibar and 18 secondary schools,” she said.

“As a plan to strengthen cultural exchange with Tanzania, the embassy is planning to enroll more local teachers in a Chinese language exchange programme. As per the implementation, this coming weekend three teachers will go to China for a half a month period.”

According to her, Tanzania and other African countries have seen an enthusiasm and passion for Chinese language learning by incorporating Mandarin subject into their national education system.

Prof Carolyne Nombo, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, expressed her appreciation for the support provided by the embassy, highlighting contributions made through the Confucius Institute, which sends volunteer teachers to various schools and universities, enriching educational experience and fostering cultural exchange.

Tarick Kiange, a lecturer at the Muslim University of Morogoro emphasized the importance of language as a unifying tool, highlighting that much knowledge is embedded in the cultural context of language.

“Many individuals initially struggle with limited proficiency but gradually develop their skills over time,” he said.