The Confucius Institute at University of Cape Coast on Monday, September 4, 2017, held an orientation for newly enrolled students into the institute’s outreach programmes offered at the University of Cape Coast. The orientation was graced by both staff members at the Institute and national service personnel at the institute. Professor Hu Liangcai (China director – CIUCC) and his Ghanaian counterpart, Professor Ishmael Mensah (Ghana director – CIUCC) jointly chaired the event and were aided by Mr. James Opoku-Darko who introduced the CIUCC programmes to the new students.

The Confucius Institute at UCC was the brain child of a close collaboration between University of Cape Coast – Ghana and Hunan City University – China which started in the year 2009. The Confucius Institute was officially introduced in collaboration faculty of Arts and has since operated progressively till date. Over the past years, the Chinese language has been studied as a liberal course by students of University of Cape Coast and subsequently took a new face that broadened the programme to cover a wide range of learners by introducing variety of related courses. Presently, the CIUCC offers Chinese Beginning course, Chinese Handicraft, Chinese Calligraphy course, Tai Chi, Chinese Dance, HSK courses, and Chinese Culture Introduction course, apart from the original liberal course.

Professor Hu, the China director welcomed the newly enrolled students to the CIUCC programme and encouraged them to take advantage of the various courses being offered currently by the Institute, especially since it is 100% free. He drew the attention to the fact that China is now the second largest economy in the world since the year 2010 making it even necessary for students to study Chinese and explore global economy. According to Professor Hu, there are over 400 students who have already enrolled into the CIUCC’s programmes and he is hopeful that UCC students will utilize this opportunity.

The Confucius Institute has been in formal operation for 13 years now since its establishment in 2004. As at December 2016, there was 512 Confucius Institutes, 1073 Confucius classrooms in 140 countries worldwide. Africa alone has more than 71 Confucius Institutes and classrooms in 37 countries. Also, Ghana has presently 2 Confucius Institutes, one at the University of Ghana – Legon, and CIUCC.

CIUCC has also expanded its activities to The University of Cape Coast basic school and senior high school since last academic year. Recently, one more learning class is introduced at the Cape Coat Technical Institute to offer variety of courses. The enrolment of this year is far higher than the targeted numbers as designed. All the programmes offered by the CIUCC are free and are opened to all interested persons including workers, students and the local community members. The classes are offered flexibly over the week (from Monday to Friday, 6:30am to 6:00 daily) to accommodate everyone interested to study at their own pace.

In few weeks, the CIUCC will introduce another Chinese training programme for Ghana police in Central Region.