Liberia's premier university, the University of Liberia, will begin offering a degree program in Chinese language and culture this fall, the university faculty senate has announced.

The faculty senate is the highest decision-making body of the university.

The decision followed the approval for a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chinese language and culture after two meetings last week.

The program will be one of the selected majors of the university's Amos Sawyer College of Social Sciences and Humanities and Confucius Institute.

University dean Josephus Gray said in an interview with local media when students choose the program, they will elevate the country's engagement with several Chinese academic institutions.

Gray said through knowledge sharing and collaboration, it is obvious Liberian researchers and students will be able to tap into China's vast expertise in areas including renewable energy, infrastructure development and agriculture.

"This collaboration between the Confucius Institute and the University of Liberia does not only allow for skill transfers but also paves the way for Liberians to address pressing local challenges and develop homegrown solutions," Gray said.

Dexter Sumo, director of the university's Confucius Institute, expressed delight for what he termed "a dream come true."

University President Julius Nelson said the college and Confucius Institute will continue to work to facilitate enrollment in Chinese language and culture this fall to cultivate more high-level Chinese language talents for Liberia and make more outstanding contributions to exchanges and cooperation between Liberia and China.