New bilateral agreements for providing Chinese language courses signed with Birzeit University and Al-Quds Open University
JERUSALEM | President of Al-Quds University (AQU) Professor Imad Abu Kishek signed two bilateral agreements for cooperation in teaching Chinese language with Birzeit University, represented by its president Professor Abdul Latif Abu Hijleh, and Al-Quds Open University, represented by its president Professor Yunus Amr.
The signing ceremony took place at Professor Abu Kishek’s office on AQU’s main campus and was attended by the Chinese Ambassador to Palestine Mr. Guo Wei, Head of Palestine-China Friendship Association Mr. Adnan Samara, and vice presidents of the partner universities.
Under these two agreements, AQU will provide Chinese teachers to give Chinese language courses to students at Birzeit University and Al-Quds Open University, as part of a specialized training program supervised by the Confucius Institute at Al-Quds University (CIAQU).
Prof. Abu Kishek welcomed these partnerships with these Palestinian universities in promoting the learning of Chinese, stressing the importance of learning the language through CIAQU, the only officially accredited Chinese language institute in Palestine.
He noted that the ongoing cooperation between AQU and China in teaching Chinese language to Palestinians enhances bilateral relations and cultural understanding between the peoples of both countries and also helps promote AQU’s international reach.
Praising the deep historic ties between China and Palestine, Chinese Ambassador said that China takes pride in establishing the first Confucius Institute in Palestine at Al-Quds University, adding that they were pleased to sign agreements with other Palestinian universities to promote Chinese language instruction.
President of AL-Quds Open University Prof. Yunus Amr said that the agreement signed by the parties demonstrates the keen interest of Palestinian academic institutions in introducing Chinese language learning into the Palestinian educational system, which points to the deep relations between China and Palestine, adding that Al-Quds Open University will offer everything possible help to bring the Chinese language program to success.
President of Birzeit University Prof. Abu Hijleh thanked Al-Quds University and the Chinese Embassy in Palestine for sponsoring the Chinese language cooperation agreement, emphasizing the importance of working closely among Palestinian universities in offering programs that assist educational development.
Last January, Al-Quds University signed bilateral cooperation agreements for teaching Chinese language with three other Palestinian institutions, namely the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Al-Istiqlal University, and Palestine General Military Training Commission.
The first and only Palestinian university that hosts Confucius Institute, Al-Quds University began teaching Chinese language in 2015. A year later, Confucius Institute headquarters in China began sending Chinese teachers to the university. With funding provided by the Chinese government, the university aspires to promote the study of Chinese language and culture. CIAQU provides valuable resources and opportunities to increase knowledge of and exposure to China and Chinese culture within the campus and in the broader community.
