Makerere University introduced a Bachelor of Chinese and Asian Studies as one of the measures aimed at responding to the increasing national and global demand for personnel with expertise in the Chinese language. This programme was approved by Makerere University and the National Council for Higher Education. It is a three-year degree programme that started 2019/2020 academic year. The programme is housed in the Department of European and Oriental Languages; School of Languages, Literature and Communication in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. It is taught in both Chinese and English languages. The main objective of the programme is to provide learners with certified proficiency in Mandarin and competence in understanding it’s linguistic, cultural and literacy aspects. In addition to language and intercultural competence, the programme will expose learners to the intricacies of the fastest growing region in the world, and their application to the Ugandan context.
The initial target was to admit 50 students on the day and 50 for the evening programme. We shall sought to admit learners with little or no knowledge of the Chinese Language to this programme and take them through three years of intensive work to acquire knowledge, skills and requisite attitudes regarding Chinese language and Asian studies which they will later apply to the different areas or fields that call for them.
The learners on this course will also be able to study about the Asian region particularly focusing on its history, economy, politics, culture and above all the reasons for its rapid economic development.
It is hoped that a student who pursues this course shall be very knowledgeable both in Chinese language and Asian studies and shall be able to contribute to national and regional development.
The programme objectives/goals;
1.To provide students with a certified proficiency in Mandarin and competence in understanding its linguistic, cultural and literary components that will enhance their regional marketability.
2.To expose the students to the political, socio- cultural and economic dynamics of the Asian societies in the past and in contemporary times as comparisons are made with their Uganda/African counterparts.
3.To develop the learners‘ business, cultural and social skills which will contribute to changing the student outlook towards national, regional and global issues.
4.To enhance international cooperation and trade to the benefit of the two countries/regions.
Knowledge
To impart Linguistic and analytical knowledge so as to create a pool of trained language specialists, with knowledge and expertise in Chinese and develop an understanding, awareness and application of the role of the Chinese Language as a vehicle of development, culture and cooperation.
To expose the learners to the intricacies of the fastest growing region in the world, and its application to the Ugandan context.
Skills
To train experts in Chinese language and Asian studies who can make use of the language and other skills acquired in various professional contexts such as the media, sports, teaching, translation, business, tourism, diplomacy and humanitarian intervention.
Attitude
To nurture in the students an appreciation of the Chinese language, Asian cultures and developmental perspectives for socio cultural understanding and transformation.The learners will also relate their appreciation of the Chinese language and culture as well as the Asian challenges and achievements with their own Ugandan and African contexts at large.
Relevance of the graduates to the job market in Uganda and beyond
The graduates of this programme shall seek opportunity to be employed in the areas below, among others.
The graduates of this programme shall have a firm foundation in language, linguistics, culture and Asian studies among others which will form the basis for their further studies Masters level in any of the above fields and later on PhDs in the same disciplines.
Each applicant should:
EITHER
Have the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) with at least five passes, or its equivalent and at least two principal passes at advanced level (UACE) or its equivalent obtained at the same sitting. (For day programme only candidates who sat for A’ Level in 2018, 2017 and 2016 are eligible to apply). For evening, candidates are not restricted on the year of sitting for A Level.
OR
Hold at least a second class/credit (or equivalent classification) diploma or its equivalent from a recognised public or chartered institution. Certified copies of academic transcripts and certificates (not photocopies of certified copies) from the awarding institutions and one passport size photograph must be submitted to Office 315 level three (3) Senate Building after applying online.
OR
Be A Graduate from a recognised Public Or Charetered University. Certified copies of academic transcripts and certificates (not photocopies of certified copies) from the awarding Institutions and one Passport size photograph MUST be submitted to Office 315, Level three (3) Senate Building after applying online.
The general regulations of Makerere University undergraduate programmes will apply to the Bachelor of Chinese and Asian Studies. The Programme is open to recruit students from any academic background. The students will be admitted through the following approved schemes;
A candidate must satisfy the general minimum entry requirements of Makerere University. Students joining through A’ level must have;
At least two principle passes at advanced level of education
At least five passes (with credits in English and mathematics) at ordinary level subjects in one sitting or its equivalent.
For purposes of computing weighted points, the advanced level subjects shall be grouped and weighted as follows;
| Group | Weight | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | 3 | Two best done of all A’ level subjects |
| Relevant | 2 | Any other best done of all A’ level subjects |
| Desirable | 1 | General Paper, Sub-Mathematics, Computer Studies |
Under the Mature Age Entry Scheme, candidates who are at least 25 years old may apply to sit the Mature Age examination. The examination shall comprise an aptitude test on one part and questions that test the learners’ basic knowledge about language in general, China Africa relations on the other, in order to be considered for admission.
A Credit Diploma or its equivalent from a recognized institution of higher learning.
Under this scheme, students who graduated with a minimum of a pass degree, from an institution recognised by Makerere University qualify to be admitted to the Bachelor of Chinese and Asian Studies.
The course content to be covered on this programme shall be based on the curriculum approved by the Makerere University Senate. The method of teaching and examination will adhere to the Senate approved syllabi. This programme shall be composed of a set of prescribed courses that shall be registered for by every student in order for him or her to qualify for the award of the Bachelor of Chinese and Asian Studies.
The courses on the programme shall be classified as follows;
3.2.3.1 Any registered student of Makerere University who wishes to audit a course in any of the subjects shall be allowed a maximum of one (1) course in a semester.
3.2.3.2 Results obtained from an audited course shall not be used in computing GPA and CGPA.
3.2.3.3 In a situation where a student fails to obtain a pass mark in an Audited course, the results shall not be reflected on his/her transcript.
A student shall not be allowed to choose a course that has a course that is indicated as a follow-up, as indicated in the course structure. Thus, no student shall be allowed to offer a course that has (II) without having done the one indicated as (I)
Normal progress shall be recorded when a student has passed assessments in all courses he/she has registered for in a particular semester.
A student who obtains a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of less than 2.0 shall be placed on probation. Such a student shall be allowed to progress to the next Semester/Academic Year but shall retake the course or courses he/she has failed when next offered.
When a student accumulates three consecutive probations based on the CGPA.
A student who fails to obtain at least the pass mark (50%) during the third assessment if the same course or courses he/she had retaken shall be discontinued from his or her studies at the University.
A student may retake any course when it is offered again in order to pass if such a student had failed the course. A student may take a substitute elective where the student does not wish to retake a failed elective.
All courses shall be assessed on the basis of 100% with the following proportion:
(a) Course work or continuous Assessment 40%
(b) Final or End of Semester Examination 60%
Blended assessment which combines both face-to-face and online methods will also be used to evaluate learners’ progress. In this approach, traditional in-class assessments such as oral presentations, role-plays, and written tests shall be complemented by digital tools like online quizzes, discussion forums, video submissions, and interactive language tasks. Online platforms shall be used to assess listening and reading comprehension, vocabulary acquisition, and writing skills through auto-graded exercises and peer-reviewed assignments.
The end of semester examination shall contribute.
The end-of-semester examination for each course shall last a maximum of 3 hours or as may be prescribed in the curricula of a particular course.
A student will not be considered to have completed the graduation requirements unless they have passed all the required courses.
The Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) for the various classes shall be as indicated below:
| Class | Cumulative Grade Point Average |
|---|---|
| First Class | 4.40 – 5.0 |
| Second Class Upper Division | 4.39 – 3.6 |
| Second Class Lower Division | 2.8 – 3.59 |
| Pass | 2.79 – 1.8 |
Normal Semester Load shall be as follows:
| Year | Semester | No. of Core Courses | No. of Elective Courses | Remarks | Total CUs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Semester I | 4 | 2 | 4 core courses, 2 electives | 18 |
| Semester II | 4 | 2 | 4 core courses, 2 electives | 18 | |
| Year 2 | Semester I | 4 | 2 | 4 core courses, 2 electives | 18 |
| Semester II | 4 | 2 | 4 core courses, 2 electives | 18 | |
| Year 3 | Semester I | 4 | 2 | 4 core courses, 2 electives | 18 |
| Semester II | 4 | 2 | 4 core courses, 2 electives | 18 |
The Bachelor of Chinese and Asian Studies shall be offered by coursework, examinations, and research.
| Category | Code | Course Name | CU | LH | PH | CH |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core | CAS1110 | Introduction to the Study of Language | 3 | 30 | 30 | 45 |
| Core | CAS1111 | Chinese Listening Skills I | 3 | 30 | 30 | 45 |
| Core | CAS1112 | Chinese Reading Skills I | 3 | 30 | 30 | 45 |
| Core | CAS1113 | Chinese Characters I | 3 | 30 | 30 | 45 |
| Core | CAS1114 | Chinese Speaking Skills I | 3 | – | 90 | 45 |
| Audited | UNV1001 | University-wide Communication Skills | 3 | 30 | 30 | 45 |
| Elective | CAS1105 | Comparative Study of Chinese and African Cultures | 3 | 30 | 30 | 45 |
| Elective | CAS1106 | Gender Issues in Asia | 3 | 30 | 30 | 45 |
| Elective | CAS1107 | Introduction to Asian Civilisation | 3 | 30 | 30 | 45 |
Total Credit Units: 18
Student semester load: Five core courses and one elective (6 courses)
Minimum Graduation Load: 108 Credit Units