20-year-old university student emerges champion of "Chinese Bridge" contest in Tanzania
DAR ES SALAAM, May 17 (Xinhua) -- A 20-year-old Tanzanian female university student emerged as the champion of the 24th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students held on Friday at the Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam.
Kuluthum Athman Maftah, a first-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education at the University of Dar es Salaam, triumphed over 11 other university students in a hotly contested competition sponsored by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation, with support from the China Communications Construction Company Tanzania Branch.
"I am very happy to be the champion of this competition," said Maftah. "I encourage my fellow students to learn Chinese so that they can become champions too."
Maftah, who will travel to China later for the finals of the global competition, said she looks forward to learning more about Chinese culture and making friends with Chinese people.
Zhang Xiaozhen, Chinese director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam, said the competition, jointly organized by the Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam and the Chinese Embassy in Tanzania, attracted 12 students, among whom five from the Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam and its centers, five from the Confucius Institute at the University of Dodoma and two from the Confucius Classroom at the State University of Zanzibar.
Zhang said this competition aimed to provide a platform for participants from different regions to demonstrate their Chinese language skills, build a network among learners and encourage greater effort in learning the Chinese language and culture.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malaysia Sun
4 hours ago
- Malaysia Sun
Bruneian youth to participate in marine conservation
Xinhua 06 Jun 2025, 21:47 GMT+10 BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, June 6 (Xinhua) -- Bruneian youth will take part in marine conservation activities held in conjunction with Ocean Week Brunei 2025, local media reported on Friday. The first activity, Reef Ball Fabricator, will take place on June 12 at the Serasa Jetty, near Muara port town, according to local daily Borneo Bulletin. Youth participants will learn to fabricate reef balls, artificial reef structures made from a special concrete mix that supports coral growth. This will be followed by Reef Ball Discovery on June 22, also based in Serasa. Youth will assist in preparing coral fragments, known as "corals of opportunity," to be planted on reef balls deployed at snorkeling site in Pelong Rocks.
The Star
8 hours ago
- The Star
Feature: Displaced Gazan families in Cairo mark Eid al-Adha with memories, hope
CAIRO, June 6 (Xinhua) -- As the Eid al-Adha prayers echoed through Cairo on Friday morning, Yasser Qudih, a former photojournalist from Gaza, couldn't help but think of past celebrations back home. "Eid in Gaza was always a grand affair," 41-year-old Qudih recalled, as he walked toward a nearby mosque for prayers with his three children -- 16-year-old Salam, 14-year-old Amir, and little Assil. "We would gather with all our family members after slaughtering the sacrificial animals. The joy of distributing the meat to the needy and our extended family was unparalleled," he noted. Now, far from his cherished home in Khan Younis, where their two-storey house was destroyed, Qudih and his family live in a cramped rented apartment in Cairo. They left Gaza in May 2024, navigating dangerous paths after difficult months spent in overcrowded tents or seeking temporary refuge in relatives' homes. More than 100,000 Palestinians have sought refuge in Egypt since the war erupted in October 2023, according to the Palestinian embassy in Cairo. After settling in Egypt, many aspects of their lives changed significantly. Qudih, who once lived comfortably as a photojournalist, now relies on dwindling savings, further depleted by the painful necessity of selling his car. "I do not spend like before," he admitted, managing expenses with care. "I'm very keen to narrow my spending, to make these savings last as long as possible, for the sake of my children's uncertain future." His children attend online classes for displaced Palestinians, a vital but incomplete substitute for the rich learning environment and social connections of their former schools. His wife, Rana, a quiet source of strength beside him, is equally homesick. Tragically, she lost her parents and three of her siblings in the war, a devastating blow that adds another layer of grief to her displacement. "I miss those days in Gaza, especially during Eid," she said. "The simple joy of spending good times with my kids, gathering with family and friends, the laughter, the shared meals ... It is all gone now." The devastating impact of the conflict has left an indelible mark on her spirit, a persistent ache. "I feel immense sadness for losing our home and our future in Gaza," she said, "but I'm more terrified for my family there. They do not feel safe, not for a moment, and they can barely get enough food or clean water." Despite the profound pain and uncertainty, Qudih strives to find a normality and build new connections in Cairo. He exchanged heartfelt greetings with his Egyptian neighbors during Eid. "I have made good Egyptian friends here," he said, adding "Egypt has been very kind to us, offering a refuge when we had nowhere else to go, and for that, we are truly thankful." Yet, the pull of home remains an irresistible force. The middle-aged man still dreams of moving back to Gaza, where he hopes to rebuild his life from the ground up. Salam, his eldest son, echoes his parent's feelings in exile. "I miss my school, I miss my friends," he said, remembering Eid mornings in Gaza when he would rise early with his father, uncles, and cousins for communal prayers, followed by a joyful procession to his grandmother's home to offer Eid greetings and receive small gifts. "I especially miss the big home garden where I used to play football and run around with my cousins," he sighed, contrasting it with their small Cairo apartment. A few districts away, in another part of the city, 44-year-old computer engineer Mohammed Shaaban was also grappling with the complex, nostalgic emotions of Eid. After performing the Eid prayers with his two sons, Shaaban took them to his parents' rented apartment, where the Gazan family tradition was recreated as he met with his two brothers, their wives, and their children. The apartment buzzed with chatter and the comforting smell of homemade traditional Palestinian pancakes prepared by their mother. It was a warm, familiar atmosphere, a precious bubble of connection, yet a profound happiness was still missing, overshadowed by the collective grief. "We talked about our lives back in Gaza, the memories of better times, the places we missed dearly," Shaaban told Xinhua. "We also talked over the constant challenges we are experiencing here in Egypt, and the uncertainty of our future." Shaaban admitted that the only thing that can truly bring them genuine, lasting joy is the end of this war and the return to their home. His brother, Ahmed, a 41-year-old accountant who has managed to secure a stable job at an Egyptian company, showed a glimmer of optimism amidst the shared despair. "I believe this war will end within a few months, perhaps even sooner. The ongoing talks over a ceasefire and the increasing pressure from the international community will hopefully bring an end to this war," Ahmed said. His reasonable salary provides a crucial measure of stability for his wife and three children, allowing him to be more proactive in bringing joy to his kids this Eid. He bought them new clothes, symbols of hope and new beginnings, and after prayers, promised to take them to public gardens. "I hope to be back in Gaza before the end of the year," he said. "I hope we will not wait for long to have this dream come true."
Borneo Post
15 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Sarawak Tian Association celebrates 75 years of cultural legacy, community service
Dr Sim (second right) pays tribute to the elderly by giving them ang paos, accompanied by Rodger (right). – Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad KUCHING (June 6): The Sarawak Tian Association celebrated its 75th anniversary this evening with a meaningful event that honoured senior citizens and recognised students for their academic achievements, held at the SJK(C) Chung Hua No. 2 hall. The celebration was graced by Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, who commended the association's longstanding contributions to cultural preservation and community welfare. 'This celebration embodies three joys, which are commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Tian Clan Association, showing our respect for the elderly, which is a cornerstone of Chinese culture, and rewarding our young ones for their pursuit of education,' he said in his speech. Reflecting on his upbringing, Dr Sim shared a personal story about how his father encouraged him to join the clan association at a young age. 'I used to ask, 'What is the association for?' and my father would say, 'If there's no food, the association provides food'. 'If there are no benefits, it provides benefits; and if you're out of work, the association will help you find a job. 'It's all for the welfare of our people,' he said. He emphasised the vital role clan associations have played in advocating for the welfare, values, and cultural heritage of the Chinese community, and their continued relevance in fostering unity through shared traditions. As part of the celebration, the association presented academic incentives to students from primary school through to university level. 'This is something new, we are not just rewarding schooling but encouraging the spirit of learning. 'In Sarawak, no one can say they can't study because of money. 'The real issue now is students not wanting to study. 'But education is essential as these students are our future, they will carry on our culture and help build a better Sarawak,' he said. Dr Sim also highlighted the importance of nurturing the younger generation beyond academics. 'It's not just about language, knowledge or culture. We must also instill values, Sarawakian values and wisdom,' he said, praising the formation of the Chinese Youth Tian Association. The event, led by organising chairman Chan Kheng Choon, association chairman Henry Chan, and vice chairman Rodger Chan, featured a vibrant 24-drum festive performance, a lucky draw, and a cake-cutting ceremony to commemorate the milestone. anniversary Dr Sim Kui Hian Rodger Chan Sarawak Tian Association
