XMU Chinese International Education College held the third regular online meeting for Chinese directors of Confucius Institutes co-established by XMU at the beginning of 2022. The management team of Chinese International Education College and all faculty members at CLEC attended the meeting. All Chinese directors of XMU CIs attended the meeting online. The meeting was hosted by Ms. Chen Zhiwei, Dean of the Chinese International Education College.
On behalf of the college, Ms. Chen Zhiwei first extended her warm gratitude and New Year greetings to all the Chinese staff working at Overseas Confucius Institutes. As Xiamen University celebrated centennial anniversary, its Chinese international education has yielded fruitful results thanks to the concerted efforts of all the staff in the Confucius Institutes. Given the high priority afforded by the University, Overseas Education College formed a new management group. The governance transition of XMU CIs has been basically finished. The work of Confucius Institutes is gradually being integrated into the current teaching and research work of the college.
Ms. Fan Li said that the Confucius Institutes co-established by XMU have achieved great results over the past year, and expressed sincere gratitude to all the staff in the Confucius Institute for their hard work. Xiamen University attached great importance to the development of Chinese international education, set up a management group, and enhanced its six existing management regulations for the college. Since the integration of two colleges, the number of students received graduate degrees has increased significantly, and the number of approved research projects has exceeded the previous record. She expressed the hope that the link between domestic and overseas Chinese education and the coordination between different levels could be further strengthened to create better results.
Next, the Confucius Institute directors attended the meeting discussed how to boost the Chinese international education in a new era, introduced the recent developments in Confucius Institutes, and gave further suggestions to the college.
In the face of the resurgent pandemic and worsening public security in some areas, all Confucius Institutes have adjusted their teaching methods in a timely manner to adapt to the local epidemic prevention policies and regulations. The directors said that the Confucius Institutes have always put the life and safety of all staff front and center. After the governance transition of the CIs, Xiamen University and its overseas partners will have greater opportunities in terms of broadening and deepening the communication, strengthening the foundation for cooperation, creating an enabling environment, and identifying their respective predominant disciplines. Although the outbreak has led to a fluctuation in student numbers and a shortage of teachers, the Confucius Institutes have actively responded to it by employing local teachers, ensuring supporting facilities, and flexibly adjusting the methods of teaching and examination in-classroom as well as online. Zhao Yezhu, Director of the Confucius Institute at Victoria University of Wellington, shared the experience ofcarring out HSK online test at home; Lin Lifang, Director of the Confucius Institute at Cardiff University, shared the experience of providing training for its Chinese oversea students. Li Yi, Director of the Confucius Institute at University of Trier, and Huang Binlan, Director of the Confucius Institute at University of Stellenbosch, gave suggestions about language teaching in Confucius Institutes. Pan Wei, Director of the Confucius Institute at Newcastle University, highlighted the functions of full-time backbone teachers and their important role in teaching and passing on experience.
He Dongmei and Lin Lin, deputy directors of XMU Center for Language Education and Cooperation, introduced the recent service work for Confucius Institutes, Chinese directors, teachers and volunteers. Peng Dan introduced the college’s enrolment programs and related courses. Huang Jianjun and Zhang Feng gave a detailed explanation of the budget and final accounts system developed independently by the college.
After listening carefully to everyone's remarks, Ms. Chen Zhiwei responded to the questions and gave relevant instructions. She believes that this year will be a promising year, and conveyed the medical experts’ interpretation of the latest wave of pandemic. With the help of information technology and the Internet, the regular online meeting for Chinese directors of Confucius Institutes can effectively solve problems and bring closer the distance between directors.
In 2022, the college will go all out to provide services, guarantees and support for Confucius Institutes in an all-round way. By paying particular attention to the establishment of “Chinese plus” projects, disciplines and scientific researches, smart classrooms and Chinese education alliances, it will seek progress while maintaining stability, and put more emphasis on high-quality development.
