A Palestinian university student writes his name on a banner in solidarity with China, at the Al-Quds University in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Feb. 22, 2020. (Xinhua/Ayman Nobani)
Chinese culture is expected to further expand in Palestine as several Palestinian universities have signed a cooperation agreement on Chinese language teaching.
RAMALLAH, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- Palestine's Al-Quds University, Birzeit University and Al-Quds Open University signed a cooperation agreement on Chinese language teaching on Saturday.
Under the agreement, Al-Quds University, which hosts the only Confucius Institute in Palestine, will provide the other two universities with educational programs and language teachers appointed by the Chinese government.
Al-Quds University is a Palestinian university with a main campus in East Jerusalem's Abu Dis suburb.
"Today, we are very happy to see that teaching Chinese language and introducing Chinese culture are going to expand from the prestigious Al-Quds University to other universities in Palestine," said Guo Wei, director of the Office of the People's Republic of China to the State of Palestine.
Guo Wei, (2 from R) director of the Office of the People's Republic of China to the State of Palestine, speaks to Palestinian academics at the Al-Quds University in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Feb. 22, 2020. (Xinhua/Ayman Nobani)
"I hope that the parameters of teaching Chinese language would be expanded from East Jerusalem to West Bank and Gaza Strip," he said at the signing ceremony.
Shadi Abuzarqa, head of the Confucius Institute at Al-Quds University, said that there are currently five Chinese language teachers that will be teaching in different universities, adding that the teachers are selected by the Chinese government and dispatched to Palestine to teach Chinese as a foreign language.
"The Confucius Institute is certified and mandated with building relations with all Palestinian universities to allow the opportunity of teaching Chinese language to Palestinian students, and introduce the culture of our friendly Chinese nation," said Abuzarqa.
A Chinese teacher speaks with Palestinian students inside the Confucius Institute at the Al-Quds University in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Feb. 22, 2020. (Xinhua/Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)
Al-Quds University started offering courses in Chinese language in 2015. A year later, Confucius Institute headquarters in China began sending teachers to the university.
Confucius Institute in Palestine offers Chinese language teaching, provides teaching resources, and holds the HSK examination (Chinese Proficiency Test) and tests for the certification of the Chinese language teachers, as well as other language and cultural exchange activities. ■
