On the evening of November 21, Shanghai Zhongqiao Vocational and Technical University convened an online work meeting for the Tunisian Chinese Language and Culture Learning Center. Attendees included Vice President Liu Shuyun of Zhongqiao University, Prof. Monia from the University of Sousse, project leader of the Chinese Language and Culture Learning Center at the Faculty of Humanities, and Tracy Zhang, Chair of the Asia-Pacific region of the Asia-Africa International Development Alliance.
Prof. Monia from the University of Sousse highly praised the successful establishment and smooth operation of the Tunisian Chinese Language and Culture Learning Center, jointly developed by the two universities. She highlighted that the online Chinese language and culture courses offered by Zhongqiao University mark a significant milestone in the development of the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Sousse. Since its inception, the program has received enthusiastic feedback on campus, with students showing great interest in learning Chinese language and culture. This reflects the pivotal role of the collaboration between the two universities in promoting international cultural exchange through education and teaching.
Prof. Monia emphasized that while the project takes language as its starting point, its scope should not be limited to language alone. The University of Sousse looks forward to deepening cooperation with Zhongqiao University and expanding the exchange into other areas of the humanities. She expressed hope that the Chinese Language and Culture Learning Center would become a model project for cultural exchange between Tunisia and China.
Prof. Liu Shuyun of Zhongqiao University commended the teaching team for overcoming numerous challenges to launch the online courses at the University of Sousse as planned, achieving remarkable results. She stressed the need for both sides to increase investment in technical infrastructure in the next phase to continuously optimize course delivery and ensure that the teaching benefits more students at the University of Sousse. She also highlighted Zhongqiao University’s strong commitment to internationalization by integrating internal resources, establishing an International Affairs Department, and providing a solid organizational foundation to advance the university’s high-quality international development.
The Chinese Language and Culture Learning Center project is one of Zhongqiao University’s key initiatives to promote international cooperation with Africa. The university is dedicated to maintaining close communication with the University of Sousse, deepening collaboration, and advancing the teaching efforts of the center to new levels.
Since the joint establishment of the Chinese Language and Culture Learning Center by Zhongqiao University and the University of Sousse in April 2024, significant achievements have been made in language education and international cultural exchange. The center adopts the “Chinese + Vocational Skills” education model, combining online and offline courses to provide Tunisian youth with a comprehensive platform for learning Chinese, engaging in cultural exchange, and receiving vocational skills training. It aims to cultivate well-rounded talents proficient in language, skilled in technology, and adept at cross-cultural communication.
The establishment of the Chinese Language and Culture Learning Center and the launch of related courses represent an important initiative by Zhongqiao University to support the national “Belt and Road” strategy and promote international cooperation and exchange. Zhongqiao University will continue to leverage the platform of the learning center to provide high-quality language teaching programs and courses, focusing on talent development in the “Chinese + Vocational Skills” model, and contributing to the advancement of international Chinese education and the global dissemination of Chinese culture.
