The first round of accreditation and award program for French-language students was held

The first round of accreditation and award program for 21 French Language students of the University of Gondar College of Social Sciences and Humanities, under the auspices of the English Language and Literature Department, was held on June 21, 2022 at the Olympic Hotel.

The program was attended by the President of the University of Gondar, Dr. Asrat Atsedeweyn, Academic Vice President, Dr. Kassahun Tegenge, invited guests from the French Embassy, other senior leaders, faculty of the University and French language graduates.

Academic Vice President Dr. Kassahun shared that the program will be unique as it is the first workshop held regarding the French language and the newly established French Language Training Center.

Dr. Asrat Atsedeweyn, President of the University of Gondar, shared that foreign bodies have been instrumental in bringing UoG to its current level; this is a result of the expansion of globalization. As many may already know the University of Gondar is working in accordance with the needs and standards of the international community. Dr. Asrat also stated that the University of Gondar is also implementing this by opening international language centers and providing trainings. In recent memory UoG has been able to establish a number of language centers including in the German; French and English languages. In the future the University plans on establishing an Arabic Language center as well.

All this attention to languages is not by mistake. The University of Gondar believes that the start of international relations and Internationalization starts with communication. That is why UoG cannot go without mentioning what the French Embassy and the Nation of France means to the University of Gondar. The historical relationship between Ethiopia and France is also in good standing and the language center will help to strengthen this.

In close coordination with friends and partners, over the past 10 months, UoG has been able to hire a qualified French Language Teacher through the recommendation of the French Embassy and has been able to further the aims of the agreement. Mr. Rene Cloud, who is the French Language teacher, has been able to do a number of things to progress and develop the new center. UoG is currently teaching French to numerous staff members and is also teaching tourism management students as well. Over this short time period, the University of Gondar has taught 45 tourism and hotel management students, 21 staff members were able to get certified and an additional 25 new staff members have already registered for additional certification. As our university pursues French Language proficiency, the University of Gondar has set the B2 level to be its goal which will allow staff members to communicate in the French language without any issues.

Representing the French Embassy in Addis Ababa, Marjorie and Claire spoke with the University of Gondar about the French Language Center and its future at the University of Gondar and its activities in the country. To conclude the event, a certificate of recognition and an award program was held for French language graduates, and the graduates in the end, held a short conversation session for those in attendance to share their skills and new found language.