By Yunus S Saliu
The Gambia Tourism and Hospitality Institute (GTHI) in partnership with the Chinese Embassy over the weekend launched Chinese Language Training Program in the country.
The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in The Gambia on Friday, 8 May 2025, held the orientation programme for students enrolled in the newly introduced Chinese Language Training Course at GTHI.
The orientation, held at the institute’s main hall, was attended by staff, students, and officials from the Chinese Embassy. The event marked another milestone in strengthening educational and cultural cooperation between The Gambia and China while creating new opportunities for students and staff of the institute.
Addressing the students, Momodou Lamin Singhateh, Director General of GTHI, described the launch of the programme as a significant step in broadening students’ horizons and strengthening cultural and educational ties between the two countries.
“Today marks a significant milestone in our journey to broaden the horizons of our students and strengthen the cultural and educational ties between The Gambia and China,” he said.
He noted that the introduction of Chinese language studies into the institute’s curriculum would equip students with valuable skills to enhance their competitiveness in the global tourism and hospitality industry.
“This initiative will not only open doors to new opportunities, but also foster a deeper appreciation of Chinese culture, traditions, and values,” Singhateh added.
The Director General expressed gratitude to the Chinese Embassy for its support and partnership, describing the collaboration as a testament to the strong bond between the two nations and their shared vision of promoting education, culture, and mutual prosperity.
He encouraged students to embrace the opportunity wholeheartedly, stressing that learning Chinese would enrich both their personal and professional lives and prepare them to engage confidently with one of the world’s largest economies and diverse cultures.
Speaking at the event, Jane Xie Mingying, Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of The Gambia, expressed delight at the partnership and highlighted the role of the institute in promoting Chinese language teaching and cultural exchange.
“Our institute is jointly established by Guizhou University in China and the University of The Gambia. It is a non-profit educational organisation dedicated to Chinese language teaching and cultural exchange,” she said.
She commended the overwhelming interest shown by students and pledged that the Confucius Institute would continue to provide a high-quality platform for learning Chinese while strengthening educational and cultural cooperation between China and The Gambia.
Delivering the keynote address, Shangsen Zhao, Counsellor at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in The Gambia, explained the origin and significance of the Confucius Institute.
He described Confucius as a renowned Chinese philosopher born over 2,500 years ago and said the institute was established to promote Chinese language learning and cultural understanding worldwide.
Zhao encouraged students to take the programme seriously, noting that language skills are increasingly important in tourism, hospitality, and international engagement.
The Chinese Language Training Programme is expected to enhance students’ communication skills and create greater opportunities for cultural exchange and professional development within the tourism and hospitality sector.
