EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Scotland launched here on Thursday its first-ever National Qualifications Courses in Chinese languages at intermediate level.

    At the launching ceremony, Maureen Watt, Scottish Minister for Schools and Skills, said in this global society it is essential that all young people have an international education to help them gain a knowledge and understanding of the world and Scotland's place in it.

    "Our aim is to prepare young people with a range of knowledge and skills with which to engage in today's increasingly multicultural and globalized society, where young people travel widely for jobs and speak a variety of languages," the minister said.

    She said the signing of the memorandum of understanding between Learning and Teaching Scotland and the Office of Chinese Language Council International in April is a significant step in learning and teaching Chinese Language.

    The development of the eight Confucius Classroom hubs will also provide an excellent source of information for both young people and teachers to learn about China, the Chinese language, and its culture and heritage, she added.

    The minister said these new qualifications in Mandarin and Cantonese, developed by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), will contribute greatly to a qualifications system which aims to help all Scotland's young people to develop their skills, talents and ambitions to the full.

    There is no doubt that China is a global power and there are opportunities for Britain to build links and highlight the areas and industries where Scotland is genuinely excellent, she said.

    "Stronger educational ties with China presents an enormous opportunity for Scotland, therefore I am delighted that these new qualifications have been developed by the SQA in partnership with Learning and Teaching Scotland, the Scottish government and the wider education community."

    SQA's Chief Executive Janet Brown said on the occasion "This is a very significant development for us and another clear example of how eager we are to see SQA's range of qualifications kept up to date so that they can work for today's learners, today's businesses and today's economy."

    The qualifications in Chinese languages, which are aimed at a wide audience of learners and are significant additions to SQA's modern languages portfolio, reflects the increasing interest in China and its growing impact on life in the western world, Brown said.

    Teaching materials to support the delivery of these qualifications are being developed by Learning and Teaching Scotland, and they will be available by August 2008 when the first full courses will begin to be taught, with first certification in August 2009, alongside all other SQA National Qualifications.

    The SQA will introduce Higher and Advanced Higher Courses in 2009 for certification in 2010 and a target has been set that 200 candidates will have completed the first courses by 2010.

    The launching event has been organized to provide an opportunity for teachers, lecturers and the wider community to familiarize themselves with the courses.