Vice-President Ertian (right) and Duncan Bubune Yaw Acorlor (left)
On August 4, 2018, the 17th "Chinese Bridge" (global Chinese proficiency and Chinese culture talent competition for university students) finals and closing Ceremony took place in Changsha, Hunan in China. Duncan Bubune Yaw Acorlor, a student of the Confucius Institute offering Bachelor of Arts Chinese student at the University, competed with 151 other contestants from 117 countries across the world. Duncan’s outstanding performance won him the Second Prize, the Best Online Popularity Award and a Confucius Institute one-year trainee scholarship award. Professor Hua Ertian, Vice-President of Zhejiang University of Technology, the Chinese partner University of the Confucius Institute at the University, was present and participated in the forum at the invitation of the Confucius Institute Headquarters.
Arriving in China on July 7, Duncan began the "bridge crossing competition" made up of three components: Speech, Talent Show, and Questions from the Judges.
Duncan won the admiration of judges and spectators with his unique "Chuan Opera Changing Face" (changing face) and "crossed the bridge" as first place in the African group.
Duncan performing the “Chuan Opera Changing Face”
Duncan won third place in the African group during the semi-final match held on July 27. 15 contestants qualified for the finals, held on August 4, Duncan won the second prize with his solid Chinese skills and fluent expression.
Although there was no talent show competition at the finals, at the request of the judges and the audience, Duncan treated them to another performance of the “Chuan Opera Changing Face” which mesmerized the audience once more! Even more exciting, was that Duncan had 24,433 votes in the online popularity contest and this won him the best online popularity award for this competition.
Duncan wins the Online Popularity Contest
Duncan was able to achieve this feat through his efforts of a regular two-hour daily rehearsal as well as excellent coaching from the Confucius Institute teachers. Duncan’s talent show was one of the treasures of Chinese culture – Sichuan Opera changing face.
In his acceptance speech Duncan said, "Thanks to the Confucius Institute at the University of Ghana for my training, Chinese have made us a family. Although the 'Chinese Bridge' competition is over, it is a new beginning for me, I will as always, work hard to learn Chinese and Chinese culture and commit myself to China-Ghana friendly exchanges!"
The Confucius Institute at the University of Ghana was jointly established five years ago by Zhejiang University of Technology and the University of Ghana. In December 2015, it was awarded the title “Model Confucius Institute” and was completed in November 2017. The Institute has a Chinese Director, Dr. Meilian Mei, a Ghanaian Director, Dr. Josephine Dzahene-Quarshie, 13 Chinese teachers and volunteer teachers, and more than 3,500 registered students. It has established eight teaching sites and a Chinese language and cultural center.
For four years, the Confucius Institute at the University has supported many Ghanaian students to receive scholarships to study in China and sent a number of outstanding graduates to Chinese companies in Ghana. While promoting the Chinese language, the Confucius Institute at the University of Ghana is also committed to spreading Chinese culture and actively organizing and participating in various Chinese cultural activities.
Since 2014, the Confucius Institute at the University of Ghana has hosted the finals of the preliminary “Chinese Bridge”, Chinese Proficiency Competition. In 2014, students of the Confucius Institute placed second in Africa and top ten in the world in the 13th "Chinese Bridge" World University students Chinese Contest. In 2017, a student of the Confucius Institute, Yawson, won the Outstanding Performance Award in the 16th "Chinese Bridge" World University Students Chinese Competition. In addition to the "Chinese Bridge" competition, Confucius students have also participated actively in other international competitions and achieved good results. In the China-Africa Friendship Knowledge Competition in 2015, Nana, a student of the Confucius Institute won the first prize at the 2016 Chinese Bridge Global Foreigners Chinese Conference.
The outstanding performance of Duncan in the 17th "Chinese Bridge" World University Students Chinese Competition is not only a testimony of the quality of teaching at the Confucius Institute but also the motivation of the Confucius Institute at the University of Ghana. The Confucius Institute would not rest on its oars, but make persistent efforts to create greater glories!
