During the opening speech, Dr. Eng. Fiseha Getachew, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Hawassa University, says that the university is one of the first generation

universities in Ethiopia. We have several launched undergraduate and postgraduate programs to produce many professionals who contribute to the country in different fields. He says, to launch this Chinese language program in our university, conducting the review workshop is critical and has a vital role in finding basic inputs. Also, he adds, opening this program in our University has an indispensable role to strengthen the relations and cooperation, as well as to build partnership through the educational and scientific way in exchanging programs between Ethiopia and China. 

In his overview of the journey of the department of Chinese language at Hawassa university, Mr. Asmero Kassa, a focal person in the Chinese program, clarified that since the program was officially launched in 2017, many Ethiopian students have been able to successfully undertake their studies here and in China with financial and technical support from the Confucius Institute at Hawassa University on behalf of the Chinese government.

Department of Chinese Head, Dr. Leu, said that the launching of the BA program in Chinese Language at Hawassa University is an important step that will have an immense contribution towards further deepening mutual cooperation and ties between the two countries. Moreover, it is a practical demonstration of Hawassa University’s standing as a truly global academic institution.

According to Mr. Abebe Tilahun, presenter of the draft curriculum, absence of the full-fledged curriculum document, limitation in the design of the pre-existing curriculum, absence of course syllabus, inconsistent in grading system are some of the rationales for revising the curriculum.

Finally, the workshop participants gave important comments and feedback on the draft curriculum of the Chinese language.