Chinese language students awarded

By Sarafina Sanerivi 01 July 2016, 12:00AM

Fifteen students studying at the National University of Samoa were presented with cash prizes from the Chinese Embassy on Thursday.

The prize giving marked the end of a Chinese Course during which the students studied and passed in the first semester this year. 

The Ambassador of China to Samoa, Wang Xuefeng, congratulated the students.

“I am happy to be here to give out these prizes to the successful students who took the Chinese Language course this semester,” said Mr. Wang.   Mr. Wang also thanked the National University of Samoa for their cooperation.  

Teaching the Chinese Language at N.U.S started in the year 2001. 

The Deputy Vice Chancellor of the National University of Samoa, Taito John Roache, spoke on behalf of the N.U.S Vice Chancellor and the staff of N.U.S to thank the Ambassador of China to Samoa for the initiative. 

He also extended his gratitude to Ada Cai, a Chinese teacher who is in charge of teaching the Chinese course at NUS.

Taito said learning Chinese is very useful. “I cannot stress the importance of learning Chinese today, as Samoa is escalating relations with the People’s Republic of China, in commerce, education, infrastructures, and other cooperative initiative,” he said.  

“So it is vital for our people to learn how to speak Chinese. This will enable our people to engage with the Chinese and communicate with them.

The N.U.S would like to see more students to take up the Chinese language as a favorable elective in their studies.” The students were given the opportunity to say a few words in Chinese to put their skills to the test.

Ngaire Hytongue a Bachelor of Science student and Mesepa Loleni were the two top students and each of them received $400 prize. 

Second and third place students received $300 prize money and the rest received $100 prize.  Mesepa Loleni said she had fun learning the Chinese language. 

“It was something I have always wanted to do,” she said. “I wanted to take an elective different from my majors because I wanted to try something new. It was hard and I was reluctant to take it at first. 

“I knew it was a hard course, but I gave it my test and I am glad that I made the decision to take it.”

Mesepa said she wants to learn more and become a pro in Chinese Language.  “I would love to continue learning Chinese and speak fluent Chinese because I have plans and dreams for the future. I want to continue my studies in China if I graduate from NUS.

I feel happy and grateful and at least now I understand the basics and know a few Chinese words.” 

By Sarafina Sanerivi 01 July 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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