Official photo with the 'Hiratra' cohort. The Confucius Institute of the University of Antananarivo (ICUA) celebrated with great ceremony the diploma presentation of its 2026 cohort, named 'Hiratra'. A total of 136 newly graduated students in Bachelor's degree in Chinese language and culture are now ready to apply their skills in the job market. This 2026 class stands out particularly for the excellence of its results. Indeed, academic standards reached new heights this year, marked by historically high grades and a significant increase in the averages obtained by top students, according to Prisca Maroy Rasoanirina, Malagasy director of the Confucius Institute of the University of Antananarivo. Beyond academic excellence, the Confucius Institute confirms its growing appeal to Malagasy youth. The numbers speak for themselves: the institution recorded a strong increase in first-year (L1) enrollment, rising from 300 students last year to 350 for this academic year. A trend that testifies to a deep and renewed interest among young people in Chinese language and culture. 'The goal in learning Chinese is to broaden my knowledge so I'm not limited to opportunities offered only in Madagascar. That's why I chose this program, and I intend to continue my studies,' says Sandatiana, one of the Hiratra cohort graduates, with optimism. By Narindra Rakotobe