The Institute of Distance Learning (IDL) has taken a significant step toward expanding its non-degree programme offerings following a productive meeting with the Confucius Institute Chinese Programme on 31st March 2026. 

IDL Management and representatives of the Confucius Institute, the Chinese Director, Mr. Ningli Ke and the Clinical Instructor, Mrs. Gao Zijuan including the Head of the Department of Language and Communication Sciences, Dr Stella Afi Makafui Yegblemenawo, convened at the IDL Conference Room to discuss the introduction of a blended short course in Chinese Language.


The course is designed to serve both the University community and the wider public, with a strong focus on practical communication skills and formal certification. 

Setting the tone for the collaboration, Mr. Ke, Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute, captured the spirit of the partnership in a few words: "Good beginning means good success." The remark underscored both sides' shared optimism about a venture that has been carefully considered before launch. 

The proposed course will run for six weeks, comprising 36 instructional hours. The programme is explicitly designed to sit outside existing degree offerings, with an emphasis on functional communication and certification.

Future specialisations in business, medical, and pharmacy Chinese would also be considered depending on demand. 

Dr. Yegblemenawo, explained the broader institutional drive behind the initiative: the department is actively "trying to come up with a lot of short courses to serve the university."

On the question of whether a blended delivery model was feasible to execute, she was direct: "It's feasible. We can handle that." 

The course will follow a blended learning model, combining online activities with face-to-face sessions.

To accommodate diverse schedules, sessions will be offered on both weekends and weekday evenings, with advertising to test demand for each option.

Instructional resources will include textbooks, software, presentations, and audio materials, with IDL recommending the addition of video-based content to further enhance the learning experience. 

The course is primarily targeted at students, staff, entrepreneurs, and traders with business ties to China.  

One of the most compelling arguments for enrolling comes from Mr. Ke, who highlighted the growing demand for Chinese-speaking Ghanaians in the local labour market.

He noted that an interpreter's salary starts from GHS 6,000 and can reach as high as GHS 20,000, depending on their level of expertise, figures that reflect the rising presence of Chinese businesses operating in Ghana.

Talent fairs to connect programme graduates with such companies are also being explored. 

In his closing remarks, the Director of the Institute of Distance Learning, Prof. Anthony Andrews, expressed his wholehearted endorsement of the initiative. "This partnership moves us in exactly the right direction," he said.

"It aligns squarely with our strategic vision of providing professional add-ons that create real value for our stakeholders, and we are not starting from scratch. We have already successfully launched two such short courses, and we are fully committed to making this one a success."

Prof. Andrews assured both parties that IDL would bring its full institutional support to bear in ensuring the programme is delivered to the highest standard