Chinese Bridge online contest for the first time

Kuantan, 30 May 2020 - For the first time the Universiti Malaysia Pahang Confucius Institute (CI UMP) hosted the UMP Level Chinese Bridge Competition online using Zoom this year following the COVID-19 Pandemic which hit many countries today.

The competition saw 24 UMP participants delivered their speeches in Mandarin.

The program was officiated by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), Professor Ts. Dr. Mohd Rosli Hainin.

Also present were UMP CI Director, Yong Ying Mei and a panel of judges from Ningxia University visiting lecturer at UMP, Dr. Bao Chao, and Dr. Wang Bin, CI Director of China, Professor Dr. Guo Fuliang and UMP Mandarin teacher Mdm. Kang Mei Feng.

According to Professor Ts. Dr. Mohd Rosli, the transmission of the Covid-19 virus has affected everyone's lives and changed the university's operations.

“The Mandarin-speaking competition has been held at UMP since 2011 and this year for the first time it has been held online.

"I am very proud when all participants from Malay and Indian students spoke fluently in Mandarin.

“During this period of the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO), UMP students were seen to be diligent and vigorously preparing for the competition.

"Congratulations to the organizers especially the UMP CI for organizing this competition," he said.

He also hoped for UMP students to excel in the competition at the Malaysian level as the UMP students succeeded and represented the country internationally in 2013.

According to Yong Ying Mei, CI UMP planned the competition and online discussions were held several times to ensure the competition went smoothly.

“Many thanks to UMP for supporting UMP students in participating at the national and international language competitions.

“This is a special Mandarin Language Competition for non-Chinese students.

"Although during the CMCO all students were home, they were still active in learning Mandarin and were constantly training in WhatsApp applications with Mandarin teachers," she said.

The champion was won by Alleyssa Syafinas Mazlan (KA19153), second place was won by Danial Haqueem Lim Mohamad Alif Lim (SB18071), and third place was Wan Asnida Izzaty Che Mohd Nordin (KA17249).

The winners for the consolation were Nurul Shabilla Shaherra Muhammad Asri Tan (CD17058) and Nur Annis Sofea Rahimi (KA18195).

All of these winners will represent UMP in the Malaysian Chinese Level Chinese Competition organized by the University of Malaya (UM) on June 27, 2020.

The Malaysian level competition is more challenging when participants are required to speak Mandarin, sit in for the Mandarin quiz, attend a question and answer session, and presentation.

This competition is a platform for students to showcase their talents.

UMP Mandarin Teachers will continue to train UMP students online to help UMP students make the best of their choice in this Malaysian-level competition.

Translation by: Aminatul Nor Mohamed Said, Faculty of Computing