News

The Confucius classroom at the Dominica State College was launched on Thursday, May 26 2022.

Confucius classroom are part of the Confucius Institute Programme for Chinese language and culture learning. Confucius institutes is a non-profit organization affiliated with the ministry of education of the People’s Republic of China established in 2004 and operating world-wide. The institute’s aim is to promote the Chinese language and culture, support Chinese teaching internationally and provide information about China. The Confucius classroom at the Dominica State College   will serve the purpose mentioned above and provide opportunities for Chinese nationals to learn the English language and culture.

Prime Minister, Hon Roosevelt Skerrit, says this programme through the Confucius classroom is an addition to the programmes offered by the State College.

“Today I am pleased to welcome this new facility to the Dominica State College. It is another intervention from the Chinese people and Government to assist us to improve our programme offerings here. The construction of a new wing of the college completed in 2013 was a major contribution which at the time allowed us to offer more varied courses and provide instruction in an enhanced learning environment. The Confucius classroom is a wonderful addition to the programmes already offered by the DSC. We cannot deny the position of China as a global force with a culture that inspires admiration and wonder. I believe our people stand to learn a lot from the Chinese principles of hard work and discipline . the tradional cultural values of China also includes benevolence, righteousness, courtesy and wisdom which are all admirable characteristics we can emulate,” PM Skerrit stated.  

Prime Minister Skerrit encouraged young persons to take advantage at of the opportunity at the Dominica State College   to learn the Chinese culture and language.

“I hope our young people in particular will grab this opportunity to gain knowledge an understanding of a culture other than our own, as these experiences will serve them well as members of a global community. I wish the administrators of this programme the very best and encourage our citizens to take advantage of this opportunity to increase their cultural awareness, explore new customs and traditions, and view the world through different lens. I again express thanks to Chinese Government for another offer of cooperation,” PM Skerrit added.

Minister for Education, Human Resource Planning, Vocational and National Excellence, Hon. Octavia Alfred, says this opportunity will bring Dominica and China together and create cultural sensitivity among the two countries.

“This new opportunity of inter-cultural communication will bring our countries closer, build closer cultural ties between Dominica and the People’s Republic of China. The very presence of this building will add significantly to the academic and the core curriculum programming and the transforming of the development f our students. This facility will build deep awareness of the People’s Republic of China. This will enlighten our people and create cultural sensitivity that will make us become aware that cultural difference and similarities exist between the people of Dominica and the people of the People’s Republic of China,” Hon. Alfred stated.

The Minister says the opening of this classroom is yet another way in which Dominica and China will cement its relations.

“The learning of the Chinese language and other aspects of the Chinese culture is yet another step in cementing the Dominica – China relationship. We are confident that as we continue to strengthen our relationship, the Chinese language might be introduced at our secondary schools. Confucius classrooms are primary vehicles for promoting Chinese language and culture all over the world. By exposing our students to the Chinese language we are adding value to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics thus creating more proficient professionals, especially engineers and software technicians who can help to build the digital economy,” the Education Minister explained.

The Chinese Ambassador to Dominica, His Excellency Lin Xianjiang is pleased for the initiative. He says Chinese nationals can also benefit from the opening of the Confucius classroom.

“Recently when I had visited His Excellency the President, he suggested to me that a Confucius classroom could also help Chinese people living and working in Dominica and other Caribbean countries to learn English and I could not have agreed more. In addition, I am very interested in Dominica’s culture; the people here are very optimistic and your traditional dance is very distinctive and the Creole Music Festival is also very famous. So it is a real pleasure for me to promote cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and Dominica allowing more Chinese people to appreciate the unique charm of the Dominican culture,” His Excellency Lin Xianjiang noted.

President of the Dominica State College, Dr. Donald Peters says, the Dominica State College has joined thousands of universities and colleges all over the world who have taken strides to internationalize the institutions.

“For those who do not know, internationalization in higher education is a big deal. Writing in the International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education recently, two international scholars wrote the following and I quote “Internationalization of higher education is the top stage of international relations among universities, and it is no longer regarded as a goal in itself but as a means to improve the quality of education,” end quote. In 2018, the International Association of Universities conducted a global survey of universities and colleges all over the world from 126 countries and the result was overwhelmingly supportive of international education as a necessity for institutions around the world,” Dr. Peters stated.  

The Confucius classroom is a collaboration between the Xidian University in China and the Dominica State College.