Six years of academic collaboration between Chad and China reached a milestone this week as the national finals of the Chinese language competition took place in N’Djamena. The event, organized by the Chinese Embassy in Chad and hosted at the Mother-Child Human Sciences University, brought together students from across the country to showcase their linguistic skills while celebrating a growing cultural connection.
The competition, titled Bridge to Chinese, serves as more than just a test of language proficiency—it symbolizes the deepening relationship between the two nations. Speaking at the ceremony, Professor Mahamat Saleh Daoussa Haggar, President of the University of N’Djamena, emphasized that the event represents more than academic achievement. He described it as a reflection of a changing world, a rising generation, and Chad’s growing openness to global dialogue through education and intercultural exchange.
Investing in youth, building a shared future
In his address, Professor Haggar highlighted the pivotal role of young people in shaping the future, noting that education is the foundation of peace, development, and stability. He drew on traditional Chinese wisdom to underscore the value of knowledge-sharing and long-term vision, calling on students to become bridges between their communities and the wider world.
The competition is held under the auspices of the Confucius Institute at the University of N’Djamena, which has played a transformative role in the institution since its establishment six years ago. What began as a language center has evolved into a hub of cultural exchange, intellectual growth, and people-to-people connections—opening doors for students to explore new opportunities beyond Chad’s borders.
Diplomatic and academic partnership in action
Chinese Ambassador to Chad, Mr. Wang Xining, delivered a keynote speech emphasizing the strategic importance of language and cultural understanding in strengthening bilateral relations. He pointed to the growing cooperation between China and Chad in higher education, student exchanges, and youth development programs as key pillars of their partnership.
The Ambassador praised the Confucius Institute for its role in providing scholarships, exchange programs, and immersive learning experiences for Chadian students. He stressed that mastering a foreign language is not merely about linguistic skill—it is about building bridges between civilizations, fostering mutual understanding, and preparing a generation capable of navigating an increasingly interconnected world.
He also highlighted the symbolic power of the competition’s theme, Bridge to Chinese, framing it as a call to action for deeper human and cultural connections. By learning Chinese, young Chadians are not only gaining access to new academic and professional opportunities—they are becoming ambassadors of friendship, contributing to a shared future built on trust and cooperation.
The event concluded with a renewed commitment from both governments to align Chad’s Chad Connexion 2030 development plan with China’s 15th Five-Year Plan. This alignment aims to create new areas of practical collaboration, driving modernization and improving livelihoods in both countries through targeted, people-centered initiatives.
