University Of Sharjah Celebrates Graduation Of Third Cohort Of Chinese Students In Silk Road Arabic Programme

The University of Sharjah (UoS) recently celebrated the graduation of its third group of Chinese students from the Arabic Language and Culture Program. This initiative is part of the Silk Road project for the 2024/2025 academic year. The program, organised by the Language Institute with support from the Office of International Relations, included students from Zhejiang Gongshang University and Beijing Language and Culture University.

Prof. Yousef Haik, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, praised the Chinese students' Arabic proficiency during the ceremony. He highlighted their success as evidence of a strong academic partnership between UoS and Chinese universities. Prof. Haik noted that these achievements underline UoS's dedication to advancing Arabic language education for non-native speakers while promoting scientific and cultural exchanges.

Looking forward, Prof. Haik expressed enthusiasm about welcoming more Chinese students as UoS expands its offerings in public policy, international relations, and political science. His remarks underscored the university's commitment to broadening its academic horizons and fostering international collaboration.

Oubo Qian, Consul-General of the Chinese Embassy in the UAE, thanked UoS for its steadfast dedication to collaborating with Chinese educational institutions. She praised UoS's pioneering role in supporting Chinese students within a multicultural academic setting. Qian described the program as an exemplary model for successful cultural exchange between China and the UAE.

Qian also expressed hope for deeper partnerships through future joint academic and training initiatives. Her comments reflected a desire to strengthen ties between educational institutions in China and the UAE through continued collaboration.

Program Development and Student Experience

Dr. Asmaa Awad, Director of the Language Institute, discussed the program's growth since its inception in 2019. She noted that its success has led to increased cooperation with various Chinese universities. The curriculum includes diverse courses such as literature, translation, culture, and heritage.

The program emphasises interactive learning and extracurricular activities to help students integrate into campus life fully. Dr. Awad highlighted collaborative efforts with Student Affairs Deanships in organising cultural, academic, and recreational events that enrich students' experiences on campus.

Student Appreciation

The graduating students expressed gratitude to UoS for its significant support in helping them acquire new skills and experiences. They appreciated studying in a diverse environment that enhanced their Arabic language abilities and communication skills under expert guidance while fostering friendships with peers from different backgrounds.

The event concluded with honours for several university departments and faculty members who contributed significantly to the program's success. The celebration recognised both faculty efforts and student dedication throughout their studies at UoS.

With inputs from WAM