ANTANANARIVO, Aug. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Confucius Institute in Madagascar on Friday graduated 55 students in Chinese language and culture in the country's capital Antananarivo.
"Today, you bring credit to Antananarivo University and tomorrow you will be its pride," the president of Antananarivo University Professor Panja Ramanoelina told the graduates during the graduation ceremony.
Ramanoelina appreciated the efficiency of Confucius Institute in the promotion of education in Madagascar and was grateful to Chinese investors for job opportunities they constantly offer to the graduates from Antananarivo University.
"On behalf of the Malagasy government, I express our deep gratitude to the Chinese government and the Confucius Institute which gave opportunities for Malagasy youth to have a better future," the secretary general of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research Christian Ralijaona said during his speech.
Learning of Chinese language is essential in mutual understanding between Malagasy and Chinese peoples and the Confucius Institute has continued to promote this mutual relationship since its establishment in Madagascar in 2008, Ralijaon expressed.
Some of the 55 graduates will continue their studies in China while some will work in companies as interpreters and tourist guides, the Malagasy director of the Confucius Institute Zo Rasendra told Xinhua.
Meanwhile, another 54 students this year also received Chinese government scholarships to study in 11 universities in China for a period from 6 months to four years. The students will fly to China early in September.
The Chinese director of the Confucius Institute Chen Lijuan said the number of scholarships represented an increase this year from around 30 annually in the past years.
After 8 years of existence in Madagascar, the Confucius Institute works with more than 40 schools in the country to teach Chinese language for local students.
