Chinese Scholarships to study and teach Chinese language

The Chinese government is offering scholarships for Sri Lankan students to study Chinese at Hanban, known as the Confucius Institute Headquarters.

The programme launched to deepen cultural exchanges between China and South Asian countries and promote localisation of the Chinese language.

A range of educational programmes are on offer. From basic programmes with training periods of 1 week to 4 weeks, to a PhD in Humanities & Social Sciences in China, Fellowship or Joint Research PhD Fellowship.

Higher Education Ministry Secretary (Development) Madhawa Devasurendra, said the Chinese embassy in Colombo has already discussed this programme with the Ministry and was willing to accept students under the scheme.

Highlights of the available programmes are:

*Training Programmes- Applicants should be in-service Chinese language teachers of local mainstream schools who are non-Chinese citizens aged below 60 years. The training duration will be 1 to 4 weeks.

Costs of tuition, accommodation and teaching materials will be exempted while international travel expense shall be covered by applicants themselves.

*Local training- It will be for in-ser- vice Chinese languge Teachers with concentrated training for 2-3 days or regular training on weekends and the Hanban Institute will cover all the cost of recruiting trainers, while the organisers may apply for extra funds, if necessary. There will also be in-service training for Primary and Secondary school teachers on Chinese language and language teachings for 1 year.

*Local Scholarship- For students who are majoring in Chinese language or relevant subjects. Recipients will be exempt from tuition for the last year of study. They will be committed to teaching Chinese language for at least 2 years upon graduation.

Under this scheme there is a programme to undergo Chinese language progamme established in cooperation with foreign universities with a duration of 5 years.

*Scholarship for Programmes in China- Non Chinese nationalities who major in Chinese language or relevant subjects and have not studied in China before, can apply for the 2016 autumn semester. The funding duration will be 5 months or 1 academic year, with a monthly living allowance of 2,500 RMB. Exempted from tuition and accommodation fees.

There is also a programme for a 1 academic year intensive Chinese language programme for which non-Chinese below 30 years can apply. The funding period will be for 5 academic years. The recipients will be exempt from tuition and accommodation fees, and provided with a monthly living allowance of 2,500 RMB, and a Economy class round trip every academic year. In turn, the graduates will teach Chinese in their home countries for 5 years, for which Hanban will pay their salaries.

*Bachelor’s Degree in Teaching Chinese to speakers of Other languages- Non-Chinese citizens below 30 years, can sign an agreement with Hanban for a funding duration of 4 academic years. Students are exempt from tuition, accommodation fees on campus and provided with a monthly living allowance of 2,500 RMB, an Economy class round trip to the host university where he or she is studying. Hanban will support the graduates to teach Chinese in their home countries for 5 years, during which they will pay their salaries.

*Masters Degree in teaching Chinese to speakers of other languages- for non Chinese citizines below 35 years and have a Bachelor’s degree or its quailvanet . The duration will be for two academic years and will be exempt from tuition, accommodation fees on campus and provided with a monthly living alallownace of 3,000 RMB, a round trip flight of economic class . Hanban will support the graduates to teach Chinese in their home countries for five years, during which Hanban will pay their salaries.

*PhD in Humanities & Social Sciences in Chinese Fellowship- Non Chinese citizens, below 45 years and with a Master’s Degree will be eligible to apply. The duration will be 3 to 4 academic years in general, with an annual living accommodation stipend of 80,000 RMB, an annual research fund of 20,000 RMB, round trip international airfare, tuition and other training fees will be provided by the host university. Expenses for medical and accident insurances in China will be provided. Hanban will support graduates to teach Chinese in their home countries for 5 years, during which Hanban will pay their salaries.

*Joint Research PhD FellowshipNon Chinese citizens below 45 years and enrolled as PhD candidates in universities in South Asian countries, can apply.

The duration of funding will be from 6 months to 2 years. Living and accommodation stipend of 80,000 RMB per year, research fund of 20,000 RMB per year, round trip international airfare, tuition and other training provided by the host university. Expenses for foreign supervisor’s visit or research in China, expenses for medical and accident instances in China. Hanban will support the graduates to teach Chinese in their home countries for 5 years.