Kenyatta University's Confucius Institute has begun developing a master's degree program in Chinese studies as it seeks to position Kenya as a regional hub for Chinese language education amid deepening ties between China and Kenya.

The institute's local director, Leonard Chacha Mwita, said the proposed program will build on the recently launched Bachelor of Arts in Chinese language, currently the only full major degree program of its kind in the East African nation.

The move marks a major expansion for the institute, which since its establishment in 2008 has mainly offered certificate and diploma training in Mandarin to hundreds of students.

Unlike in the past, when graduates pursued postgraduate studies through partner universities in China, the proposed research-based master's program is expected to admit students with honors degrees in Chinese studies and related disciplines from Kenya, across Africa, and beyond.

"Students may have the chance to conduct research not only within Kenya, but also in China, with the possibility of co-supervision. If the research project necessitates it, students may have the opportunity to travel to China to further their research," Mwita said.

Once approved, the program is expected to make Kenya one of the few countries in Africa to host such a master's degree.

According to Mwita, the new academic pathways are being driven by the rising demand from students seeking to progress beyond diploma level as opportunities linked to Chinese language skills continue to expand.

"There's a demand for Chinese language and skills and these programs are marketing themselves," he said.

The master's program is to include tracks such as translation, second-language teaching, China-Africa relations and intercultural studies.

He noted that Kenya's evolving education system, which now allows students to select Mandarin as a language subject from Grade 10, is likely to increase demand for qualified teachers in the coming years.

Schools are already seeking Mandarin instructors, while universities are expected to see rising enrollment as more secondary school graduates pursue Chinese language studies.

Various opportunities

China is now Kenya's biggest trading partner, investor and contractor for infrastructure projects.

With intensifying cooperation in various fields between the two countries, Chinese language learning has been gaining popularity in Kenya in recent years.

Beyond teaching, graduates are increasingly finding opportunities in banking, telecommunications, tourism, translation and infrastructure sectors linked to Chinese investments in Kenya.

Mwita revealed that banks had recently approached the institute seeking Mandarin-speaking graduates to support customer care and teller services for Chinese clients.

Construction firms involved in Chinese-funded projects, as well as technology companies such as Huawei, are also employing graduates with Mandarin skills, he said.