Stop South African Education from becoming less Global

Good luck!

Just to have that option would be great!!

We need more Universities supporting this initiative so that we have the opportunity to learn such languages if we so desire, to study abroad or just gain more insight.

How absurd to close Mandarin (Putonghua) as a university course, especially in light of the fact that all sorts of funding is MADE available for all sorts of "co curricular" courses, in the name of "Skills Development". These co curricular courses often duplicate what is already on offer in the mainstream. These co curricular courses are not even credit bearing and not even contributing towards the credits of a full degree at Stellenbosch University. Oh, but these "co curricular course" look good on a student's CV, due to SKILLS developed. Really? Where is this institution's priorities? The importance of Asia in the world cannot be disregarded, and even more so the importance of China in Africa. Which continent does Stellenbosch University want to remove itself to by closing Mandarin as a foreign language as offered part of a degree? In fact, what is needed is a FULL DEGREE based around Chinese history, Chinese politics, Chinese economics and Chinese as a modern foreign language.

How can the university call themselves an international institution if they remove the most widely spoken language in the world?

The world is becoming more globalised everyday therefore universities must be internationally recognised so that people who study at stellenbosch university can take their degrees and apply them abroad if they would like to.

Don't take mandarin away!

Let's not confide ourselves to living in this country only. Let's keep our options open.

It's an important part of learning

Chinese is a very important language in our up and coming world and needs to be kept at Stellenbosch for those who would like the opportunity to learn.

Crazy idea to stop teaching Chinese.

If you want to remove everything that is not African from the university, the university will no longer be a world class university but simply yet another university in Africa.

Learning Mandarin literally opened up a new world for me, and exposed me to a fascinating people and culture from whom I've learned so much. It also helped to shape my world view and strongly influenced how I approach to travel, foreign culture, and life. It would be a shame to deprive others of the opportunity.

It would be shortsighted to close this section of the Languages Dept

I support this initiative. Kind regards Liezl

The students of Stellenbosch University has a right to studie Chinese, and theres no reason for anyone to close the Chinese Section, unless the goal is to let everyone stay in the same place where they are and never, ever let their wings guide them to their next adventure.

Vital for students to have the opportunity to study a foreign language related to the country's economic growth.

I really hope this petition pulls through, all the best !

I am signing this petition as someone who studied Mandarin through the Chinese Section and believe it is incredibly important in increasing inter-cultural awareness and cooperation

Don't make the world smaller!! Keep international links, it helps make us better!