September 20, Lumbini – Thirty-one students enrolled in the Chinese Language and Bhot Buddhist Studies programmes at Lumbini Buddhist University departed today for a one-year study and exchange programme at Nanhai Buddhist Academy in Sanya, Hainan Province, China. The group includes nine lamas and one Buddhist nun from the Bhot Buddhist Studies programme, as well as 21 lay students.
The students travelling to China have a solid foundation in the Chinese language. All 21 lay students have passed Level 3 of the Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK), while the 10 monastic students have passed Level 2. During the exchange, they will study Chinese, Chinese Buddhist culture, and related subjects. The programme is expected to deepen their understanding of Chinese culture and strengthen their intercultural communication skills.
This is the fourth year that Lumbini Buddhist University has sent students to Nanhai Buddhist Academy for study and exchange. Over the past three years, more than 100 students from the University have attended the Academy through this programme. Students pay no tuition fees, and Nanhai Buddhist Academy provides accommodation and meals free of charge.
The Confucius Institute at Lumbini Buddhist University (CILBU) and the Chinese Language Learning and Testing Centre are in operation at the University. More than 250 Chinese students are currently studying there, creating a natural language environment for Chinese-language learning. The University is developing not only as a destination for Nepali students but also as an important centre for Chinese-language study in South Asia.
Admissions are currently open for the Bachelor’s degree programme in Chinese Language at Lumbini Buddhist University. The programme includes opportunities for international study and exchange. In the first week of September this year, many University students also departed for China on full scholarships to study Chinese language and to pursue bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
There is a relative shortage of Chinese-language professionals in the Lumbini region. By strengthening cooperation with Nanhai Buddhist Academy and other Chinese universities and educational institutions, Lumbini Buddhist University continues to promote Chinese-language education and China studies. It aims to develop graduates proficient in Chinese and intercultural communication, contributing to people-to-people and cultural exchange between Nepal and China.