Breaking down the language barrier will ease border procedures, while strengthening Sino-Kenyan trade and cultural cooperation. This was the message of a graduation ceremony after officials from the Kenya Revenue Authority and the country's immigration department successfully completed a three-month Chinese language course at the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi.

The courses, supported by the Chinese embassy in Kenya, are aimed at sharpening the communication skills of 20 officers who interact frequently with Chinese visitors and traders.

"They are usually the first contact for visitors and their ability to communicate with Chinese tourists is crucial, since most of the visitors do not understand English. Meeting someone who can communicate with you in your own language immediately makes you feel at home," said Guo Hong, director of the Confucius Institute at UoN, during the graduation ceremony.

The officers, 10 from KRA and the rest from the immigration department, have been equipped with basic language skills to inquire on the duration of the visit, its purpose and accommodation arrangements.

"This program will make the officials' work easier while putting visitors at ease," says Henry Mutoro, deputy vice-chancellor of Academic Affairs at the university. "I believe that strengthening people-to-people interactions will benefit people from both nations. We need to work together to build synergy and this starts at the point of meeting, which is at the ports."

Eunice Lamba-Chacha, deputy director of immigration services at the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government, says the program will prevent prejudice and create an avenue where people from both countries learn from each other.

"There is a need to interact with ease and this program is the best way to accelerate the bridging of the cultural gap," she says.

She notes that, in view of the substantial increase in Chinese trade and investments in Kenya, it is helpful that graduates can communicate with visitors in a language they easily understand and speak.

This was the second class from the immigration department to have successfully undertaken the program. It was officially launched in March. Students complete eight weeks, with 30 hours of language training.

According to Guo, the director, two students from the first class have enrolled for the university's certificate class.

"We hope to continue having these short-term classes regularly," she says.

Government statistics show that there are more than 2,000 Chinese businesses in Kenya. Investments and commitments have reached $6.5 billion, mainly in infrastructure and establishment of industrial parks.

luciemorangi@chinadaily.com.cn