During his address, Mahamat Saleh Daoussa Haggar, President of the University of N’Djamena, emphasized the profound significance of the ceremony, stating that it transcends mere academic boundaries. He described the final as a powerful symbol of a shifting global landscape, a burgeoning youth, and a Chad increasingly open to the world through knowledge and intercultural dialogue.

President Haggar also lauded the pivotal role of young people in shaping the future, reiterating that investing in education is synonymous with investing in peace, development, and national stability. To underscore this forward-looking vision and the importance of transmitting knowledge to future generations, he eloquently quoted several Chinese proverbs.

Through the national final of the “Chinese Bridge” competition, the University of N’Djamena actively seeks to deepen cultural and academic exchanges between Chad and China. It also aims to inspire Chadian students to broaden their horizons, embrace new languages, and seize international opportunities.

This year marks a significant milestone: the sixth anniversary of the Confucius Institute at the University of N’Djamena. These six years have profoundly transformed the university, inaugurating a new chapter in its academic and international history. Since its inception, the Confucius Institute has evolved beyond a simple language learning center. It has become a vital hub for intercultural dialogue, a meeting point for diverse peoples, a gateway to global understanding, and an instrument for intellectual and human development.

Ambassador Wang Xining, China’s representative in Chad, spoke at the event, noting that the national final of this esteemed competition brought students together through their mastery of the Chinese language. The choice of the University of N’Djamena as the venue underscored the crucial role of academic institutions in fostering this growing rapprochement.

Ambassador Wang Xining highlighted the robust cooperation between China and Chad, particularly in higher education, university exchanges, and youth training initiatives. The university expressed its sincere gratitude for the support extended to Chadian students through scholarships, exchange programs, and the various activities of the Confucius Institute. The Ambassador affirmed that learning a foreign language is more than just mastering words or a culture; it is about constructing bridges between civilizations and nurturing a generation equipped to collaborate effectively in an increasingly interconnected world.

He further stressed that the competition’s theme, “Chinese Bridge,” represents more than just a linguistic challenge; it symbolizes connection. It embodies the effort to build a cultural and human bridge between China and Chad, fostering deeper mutual understanding and appreciation.

Ambassador Wang Xining extended his greetings to the university authorities, including the University President, commended the dedicated teachers for their efforts, and applauded the students for their commitment. He emphasized that learning Chinese presents a unique opportunity for young Chadians to engage with the world and unlock new avenues for personal and professional growth.

He underscored the indispensable role of cultural exchanges in fortifying the friendship between the two peoples. By learning the language, students naturally become ambassadors of this bilateral relationship, contributing to an even closer shared future.

Furthermore, the Chinese and Chadian governments are actively working to align China’s 15th Five-Year Plan with Chad Connexion 2030. This strategic alignment aims to forge new areas of pragmatic cooperation and inject fresh momentum into the modernization efforts of both nations, ultimately delivering tangible benefits to their respective populations.