Uni preparing to teach Mandarin

THE University of Goroka (UOG) is preparing to teach Mandarin in the campus’ Confucius Centre next year, the university’s Somare Research Institute executive director Dr Jane Awi says.
“The centre will introduce the course next year when the China Open University approves and endorses its course contents,” she said.
“The Chinese Embassy in Port Moresby has been working with the Chinese university and the UOG since the inception of the centre in 2018, forging a cordial relationship.
“Since the memorandum of agreement signing in 2019, China has been helping with furnishing the set-up which is still ongoing, with the current online teaching of one of our staff member, Amy Keko, who can now speak Mandarin.
“They are providing the on-line tutorials and tests to see her competency level so that Keko can be the language instructor next year.”
Keko has been engaged on a three-month contract to develop the course contents which will then be fine-tuned by the Chinese university’s language department for the academic senate’s approval.
“If all goes well, UOG should be taking in its pioneer students in the second semester next year,” she said, adding that there would also be a cloud classroom in the centre for the Mandarin students.
Awi said she hoped to see tourism and hospitality students, diplomats and other foreign consulate staff apply for the language course.