The government of the People's Republic of China has continued to keep up to its commitment since the signing of a general Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ellen-led government of Liberia.

The general agreement entered into by both countries since the onset of this year, took into consideration not only the rehabilitation of roads, bridges and infrastructures, but also the minds of the citizens of Liberia who many believe have been traumatized due to the long period of war.

With the strides the government of China has made towards the development of Liberia since its recovery period, it has begun entering into the educational development agreement with the government of Liberia. Recently both parties signed two agreements, one to build additional infrastructures on the Fendell Campus and the other for the establishment of a center wherein the Chinese language would be offered as a course at the university.

At the latest signing ceremony on December 21, at the Chinese Embassy, Ambassador Zhou Yuxiao said the institute when established would be named as the 'Confucius Language Teaching Program' which would strengthen educational cooperation between China and Liberia. 

Amb. Yuxiao said that this institute has been named in honor of a famous Chinese philosopher who put all his time to education noting that 210 of such institutions have been built in 61 countries world-wide.

He said it is an opportunity for Liberia because it is like a competition as many countries are requesting his government to establish similar institutions in their countries since the population of China has caused many of their citizens to travel to other countries while many foreign nationals are migrating to China.

The Chinese envoy said, "You can only know better about a country when you know their language. Learning another country's language promotes cultural and mutual changes as it also enhances one's perimeter of acquiring technology."    

Amb. Yuxiao boasted that it is only first class universities that are offering the Chinese language but added that with the support of the Liberian populace there will be flourishing and quality courses offered in Chinese.

He said that it is better to open up to foreign investments adding, "We will help you today so that you too can be able to help others in 10 years time."

Making remarks on behalf of the government, the UL President, Al-Hassan Conteh who has begun conforming to the university obligation as specified in the agreement disclosed that the Confucius Institute would be located in the Elizabeth Tubman Hall known as the Girls Dormitory, (GD)Building.

Mr. Conteh said this would be the third foreign language to be taught at the university noting that before the civil crisis, the German language was offered and after the wars, the university is now offering the French language, but that it would be the first time that Chinese is offered at the UL.

Extending thanks to the people of the People's Republic of China through the Ambassador and Staff of the Chinese Embassy on behalf of the government and the University of Liberia, Mr. Conteh said the Chinese language course would be offered as an elective on campus. 

The purpose of the agreement is to identify the rights and responsibilities of the headquarters and the UL in the establishment of said institution. It shall be a non-profit institute with the purpose of enhancing intercultural understanding in Liberia by sponsoring courses of the Chinese language and culture.

It shall have a board of advisors and the two parties will nominate members of the said board with the sole responsibility of operating the institute.

The headquarters shall provide logos and institute emblems, provide multimedia courseware and other teaching materials, supplementary materials and audio-visual materials authorized by the headquarters.

It shall also provide US$50,000-100,000 as a start-up fund payable to the special account of the UL in the local bank in China, to provide 3,000 volumes of books and to provide at most two Chinese instructors who would be paid by the headquarters.

As for the UL, it is to provide an appropriate site for the establishment and set-up the institute; to provide the necessary conditions and facility management to establish the institute; manage, maintain and open the special account in the local bank in China.

The UL is to also provide the necessary administrative personnel and provide the related payment; assist the Chinese party at the institute with all migration procedures and agree to discuss with the head quarters on any further requirement of the institute.

Meanwhile, on December 19, the government of Liberia and the Republic of China signed a US$20 million agreement for the construction of more school buildings within the Fendell Campus of the University of Liberia on the Monrovia-Kakata Highway.

That project is expected to cover 11 hectares of land which would include a teaching building, faculty lounge, and dormitories for students, while it will also set up three laboratories, one for civil engineering; soil testing; and computer.