ISLAMABAD: Among the foreign languages, the Chinese language has become increasingly popular in Pakistan in recent years with more and more people enrolling with different language institutes across the country, reports WealthPK.
The increasing enrolment for the Chinese language courses is because many Pakistanis now travel frequently to China for business, employment, and education opportunities due to the friendly ties between Pakistan and China.
Talking to WealthPK, Prof Dr Fakhar-ul-Islam, Director of Pakistan Study Centre, University of Peshawar said, “Many universities in Pakistan have established China Study Centres and many more are running Chinese language learning centres. A number of Pakistani universities have entered into agreements and partnerships with their Chinese counterparts.”
“The University of Peshawar has taken a lead by establishing the first ever China Study Centre (CSC) in the province. The centre aims to create linkages with China through research, learning, executing projects, and people-to-people contacts. The CSC seeks to make the University of Peshawar a rich source of knowledge of China,” he said.
Dr Fakhar further said, “China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has increased the scope of Chinese language in Pakistan. In order to explore CPEC opportunities for business and employment, people have begun to recognize the importance of learning the Chinese language.”
Talking to WealthPK, Dr Zhang Wei, head of the Confucius Institute at the National University of Modern Languages (NUML), said, “Among all the platforms for cultural interaction in Pakistan, Confucius institutes have attained a prominent position and are regarded as the finest at imparting knowledge of the Chinese language and culture. Our main objective is to strengthen relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries,” he said.
Dr Zhang further said, “Chinese funding is helping to establish Confucius institutes in Pakistan. Pakistan welcomes these institutes and programs in its various universities. Established on April 4, 2005, the Confucius Institute NUML Islamabad has the distinction of being the oldest and first Confucius institute in the Muslim world. The number of students is increasing with the passage of time because of Chinese job opportunities.
“NUML Confucius Institute launched the BS Area Study China undergraduate program in 2019. It offers a wide variety of courses that provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the Chinese language, arts, and culture. These Confucius institutes also send students and faculty to China to gain a deeper understanding of the Chinese culture.”
“Enthusiasm towards learning Chinese has been seen, as it is the gateway to opening new avenues for the common populace in Pakistan. The goal of China and Pakistan is to stabilize and develop in the region. There is no denying that CPEC, as part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), has opened avenues for people, hence those who learn it will be able to reap benefits.”
“Given the employment conditions of the country, the CPEC project has been a breeding ground for a plethora of jobs. The Chinese language will increase their propensity of finding a good job with monetary benefits. There is a better way for Pakistanis to learn Chinese by removing the language barrier,” Dr Zhang said.
-INP
