Chinese language learning gains importance at CIU amid rising investment, demand for skilled workforce
Chittagong Independent University (CIU) has, for the first time, awarded certificates to students who completed Chinese language courses at its Confucius Institute Chinese Language Teaching Site.
The growing presence of Chinese investment and business activities in Bangladesh is driving demand for skilled workers proficient in Chinese, while efforts to promote a third language alongside Bangla and English are further increasing the importance of Mandarin.
Against this backdrop, Chittagong Independent University (CIU) has for the first time awarded certificates to students who completed Chinese language courses at its Confucius Institute Chinese Language Teaching Site.
The certificates were handed to the students at a ceremony held at the university auditorium yesterday (12 August).
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North South University Vice-Chancellor Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury attended the programme as chief guest, while Li Shaopeng, cultural counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh, joined the event online as a special guest. CIU Vice-Chancellor Professor MM Nurul Absar chaired the programme.
Speakers at the event said China's growing influence in the global economy, education, technology and trade has made Chinese language proficiency more than just a foreign-language skill. It is increasingly becoming an important competency for education, employment, business and international communication.
With Chinese investment increasing in Bangladesh, the need for local professionals who can communicate in Chinese is also growing across various industries and businesses. Proficiency in Mandarin could therefore create additional opportunities for young people in employment and business communication, they said.
Speakers also highlighted the growing scope for learning Chinese as Bangladesh promotes third-language education alongside Bangla and English.
The government's budget speech for the 2026-27 fiscal year mentioned plans to include Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, French and German in the curriculum.
Kazi Md Saiful Aspia, director of the Confucius Institute Chinese Language Teaching Site at CIU, delivered the welcome address.
Others who spoke at the event included Ma Xiaoyan, Chinese director of the Confucius Institute at North South University; Professor Bulbul Siddiqi, director of the institute; and Zhang Wensheng, managing director of New Era Fashions MFRS (BD) Ltd and vice-president of the Chinese Enterprises Association in Bangladesh.
The speakers stressed the importance of Chinese language education in strengthening educational, cultural and skills-development cooperation between Bangladesh and China.
As trade and investment ties between the two countries expand, the demand for skilled professionals with Chinese language proficiency is also expected to increase, they said.
Deans of different faculties, teachers, students and university officials attended the programme. Guests later handed certificates to students who completed the Chinese language course.
The Confucius Institute Chinese Language Teaching Site at CIU was formally launched on 29 January this year. Since its establishment, it has conducted activities to promote Chinese language learning and knowledge of Chinese culture, while strengthening educational and cultural exchanges between Bangladesh and China.
The initiative has also created opportunities for students in Chattogram to learn about higher education, scholarships, research and professional opportunities in China.
