Griffith Students Take Out Top Honours at 2013 Chinese Bridge Brisbane Competition
Chinese Bridge is a worldwide competition for university students to demonstrate their
passion for Chinese language and culture as well as to enhance relations between China and
other countries. Since its launch in 2002, over 50 000 students from more than 50 countries
have participated in this annual competition organized by the Office of the Chinese
Language Council International (Hanban) in Beijing. All non-native speaking students under
the age of 35 undergoing tertiary education (TAFE or University) in Queensland are eligible
for this competition.
The Tourism Confucius Institute at Griffith University and the Confucius Institute at The
University of Queensland were the joint organisers of this year’s Chinese Bridge
Competition. Griffith students performed exceptionally well this year, winning 10 of the 24
prizes.
The Chinese Bridge Competition is split into two levels, each of which is composed of three
subdivisions: Cultural Knowledge in written form, Oral Presentation and Talent
Performance. Fantastic prizes were awarded to the top three winners of each subdivision
and another three All Round prizes were awarded to students who participated in all three
subdivisions.
The top All Round prize at the advanced level was won by Amirah Nikwan from Griffith
University. She will be sent to China on a one month Confucius Institute scholarship covering
tuition fees, travel, accommodation and living expenses to represent Australia in the worldwide competition.
1
The Griffith University prize winners were:
Amirah Nikwan
·All Round prize at the advanced level
·first prize for Cultural Knowledge
·first prize for her Talent Performance
·third prize for Oral Presentation
At the Basic Level, the other Griffith winners were:
·Eunice Fungo, second prize in the All Rounds
·Daniel Henschall, third prize in the All Rounds
·Lauren Harvoy, second prize for Cultural Knowledge
·Samantha Hill, first prize for Oral Presentation and second prize for her Talent Performance
·Georgia Sands, second prize for Oral Presentation
Chinese teachers from the Griffith School of Languages and Linguistics and volunteer
Chinese student mentors also contributed to make this competition a very successful event.
2
An Interview with Gold Coaster Daniel Henshall
Daniel has always been keen on learning about the Chinese language and culture as he has
many Chinese-speaking friends both in Australia and overseas. Daniel is studying IT
Management and Marketing at Griffith University and decided to take Chinese in January
2012 as an elective.
He was encouraged to take part in the Chinese Bridge Competition by his university Chinese
teacher. Daniel took up the challenge, and even having to spend two weeks in hospital did
not deter him. Daniel worked very hard during that time, covering his hospital room with
Chinese characters and regularly Skyping with a tutor in Brisbane.
The All Round category required Daniel to compete in three events, including Cultural
Knowledge, Oral Presentation and Cultural Arts Performance. He was quite pleased with his
Chinese speech, entitled, “My Chinese Story” and brought the house down with his Chinese
rendition of the song, “Can You Feel My World”.
Daniel is keen to participate in the Advanced Level of the competition next year, and has
plans to visit China in the not-too-distant future.
3