Building dialogue among nations through educational and cultural cooperation: The case of Burundi and the P.R. China

Abstract

The aim of the present paper is to highlight the process of educational and cultural cooperative between China and African countries, particularly Burundi, the gap it came to fill and the positive outcomes it has generated. It is essentially based on a review of existing relevant documentation. African Universities were born during a period marked by rapid change as most of the countries of the continent were achieving independent nationhood. In this context, those young institutions were assigned the daunting task of contributing to national development through research activities and by producing competent manpower to help in solving the complex problems facing those societies. To this end, African states have sought to enhance the performance of their higher education systems through cooperation with China an emerging but experienced country. Hence, since the 1960s, China has been granting scholarships and other facilities to prospective African leaders and technocrats to study in different regions of the host country. Within this framework, Burundi has enjoyed cooperation assistance from the P.R. China, in economic, medical, cultural and educational matters since independence. This has helped the country to build the capacity of its education system, particularly higher education. We may conclude by saying that the offering of scholarships, the exchange of scholars, artistic performances on both sides as well as the widening Chinese language teachin programme in schools and universities through the Confucius Institute have gone a long way in promoting intercultural appreciation and understanding between the two countries. In this perspective, there is a need for highlighting the extent to which China-Burundi educational and cultural cooperation has contributed the building of mutual understanding between, the two countries.