Centre to teach Chinese

THE first Confucius Education and Research Centre will be opened at the University of Goroka in Eastern Highlands next month, Chinese Ambassador Xu Bing says.
Bing, when speaking during the Chinese government scholarship presentation last Thursday, said the Chongqing Normal University of China prepared to set up the Confucius Institute in Papua New Guinea.
Bing said this development was through partnership with the University of Technology in Lae, Morobe.
He said apart from offering scholarships, China had provided assistance to construct educational facilities. He said these facilities include the Butuka Academy in Port Moresby, the Western Pacific University in the Southern Highlands and the technical college in Enga.
Bing said these education facilities would provide a high quality service to Papua New Guineans.
“The Chinese language training programme is also developing rapidly and cooperation in education has always being important,” he said.
“All these activities are encouraging and will promote the friendship and mutual understanding between our two countries and people.”
Although China is still a developing country, Bing said they would continue to provide assistance within their capacity on the basis of mutual respect and common development.
“We are glad to see that PNG is also making great efforts to realise its dreams,” he said.
“We are ready to work together with the Government and people of PNG to further strengthen dialogue, communication and cooperation in all areas to bring benefits to our countries.”
Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology deputy secretary Dr Francis Hualupmomi said PNG does not have enough specialists in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, petroleum and energy and agriculture.
Hualupmomi said PNG welcomed investment in those specified areas.
“My ministry has been tasked to increased access to the increasing student population,” he said.
“This is a huge task which will require support from China,.”
He said the Education Ministry was grateful and thanked the Chinese government for their continuous support in investing in higher education.