It’s long been said that while China may have an Africa policy, Africans do not have a China policy. In particular, too many Africans do not understand the language, culture, and politics of their new number one trading partner. The University of Botswana, for its part, is trying to change that. UB has one of the most ambitious Chinese studies programs in Africa. Dr. Frank Youngman helped establish the Chinese undergraduate and graduate studies programs at UB and joins Eric and Cobus to discuss the curricula and the difficulties the university is having in growing its Chinese studies department.
Recommendations
- “Engaging Academically with China in Africa – The Institutional Approach of the University of Botswana,” Frank Youngman, African East-Asian Affairs, September 2014
- “Swedish University Severs Ties with Confucius Institute,” Laura Zhou, South China Morning Post, January 9, 2015
Conversation
06.23.14
The Debate Over Confucius Institutes
Last week, the American Association of University Professors joined a growing chorus of voices calling on North American universities to rethink their relationship with Confucius Institutes, the state-sponsored Chinese-language programs...