Confucius Institute plans free Chinese language course for teachers, students

BEAUFORT: The Confucius Institute @ Universiti Malaysia Sabah (CI@UMS) has planned to offer a Chinese language course (HSK Level 1) for free to teachers and students of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Gadong here.

The plan was said when the CI@UMS group led by Associate Professor Deng Rong (Director of China) and Professor Dr Low Kok On (Director of Malaysia) visited the school.

According to Low, HSK is an exam that offers an internationally recognized certificate.

“All students, who are interested in pursuing a bachelor degree at a Chinese university should have at least the qualification of HSK certificate, Level 3.

“CI@UMS also provides free guidance classes to all candidates who will sit for the HSK Chinese exam,” he said.

Low also explained the brief history and the purpose of establishment and activities of CI@UMS.

According to him, CI@UMS is a Chinese language and culture teaching institute for citizens throughout Sabah.

“In addition, CI@UMS also helps students from all over Sabah who take the HSK exam at CI@UMS to apply for scholarships to continue their studies in China,” he further explained.

Also present at the program was the principal of SMK Gadong, Siti Jubaidah Haji Karia.

Meanwhile, a Chinese language student at CI@UMS, Dr Musnin Misdih shared his experience with SMK Gadong students and teachers.

Dr Musnin who is also a lecturer at UMS Academy of Creative Arts and Technology (ASTiF), said that non-Chinese students who are fluent in Chinese will benefit them either in terms of job opportunities or communicating with the Chinese community later.

During the programme, there was also registration of teachers and students to attend the Chinese language class which is expected to open in the middle of October.