Pakistan’s International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) on Sunday invited applications for Chinese language courses.
A spokesperson of IIUI said that successful applicants will be able to learn four languages including Chinese, Urdu, English and Persian.
He added that the eligible candidates have been asked to submit applications by January 17.
Chinese, particularly Mandarin, is the most spoken language in the world, with over 1.4 billion speakers. This means that one in every six people in the world speaks Chinese.
Mandarin is the official language of not just China but also Singapore. Many Mandarin speakers are also found in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Mongolia, and Brunei.
Thousands of Pakistani students and businesspersons are studying Chinese as a second language as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) helps develop Pakistan. Many government-owned and private universities in Pakistan are offering Chinese language courses.
China’s booming economy shows how essential it is for Pakistani businesses to have strong ties with their Chinese counterparts. The benefits of learning Chinese do not just extend to those involved in the trading of goods. Learning Chinese, especially in Pakistan, can also open up a world of employment opportunities for Pakistani youth. With CPEC underway, it is expected that around 40,000 Chinese interpreters will be needed in the coming years, and knowing the Chinese language will increase job opportunities.
At IIUI, a two to six month-long diploma, certificate in elementary, advanced level courses have been offered separately in the four languages.
The courses fee ranges from Pakistani Rs 10, 000 to Rs 21,000. The skills in creative writing, business, listening, speaking, reading, grammar were being imparted to those who want to improve their Chinese, English, Urdu and Persian languages.
