Confucius Institute 10th Anniversary Celebration

On 12 June 2024, the Confucius Institute at University of Science and Technology Beijing - De Montfort University (USTB-DMU CI) held the grand celebration of the 10th Anniversary as well as the 10th Annual Board Meeting. Attendees included:

Minister Counsellor ZHANG Jin, Education Section of the Chinese Embassy in the UK
Professor YANG Renshu, President of the University of Science and Technology Beijing
Professor ZHANG Dawei, Director of the Office of International Affairs at USTB
Professor YIN Xucheng, Dean of the School of Computer and Communication Engineering (USTB)
Professor GU Wei, Dean of the School of Economics and Management (USTB)
Professor MA Cong, Dean of the School of Advanced Engineering (USTB)
Professor Katie Normington, Vice Chancellor of De Montfort University
Ms. Jill Cowley, Vice Pro-Chancellor & Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Design and Humanities (ADH)
Professor Louise Peacock, Chair of the DMU CI Management Board & Head of School of Humanities
Ms. Rita Tailor, Finance Business Partner (ADH)
Ms. Amanda Leandro, Director of Cosmopolitan Art
Ms. Alice King, Associate Principal of Beauchamp College attended the event

The Chinese International Education Foundation (CIEF) sent a video of congratulations, and the Centre of Language Education and Cooperation UK (CLEC UK) sent a congratulatory letter. Mr. Simon Bradbury, DMU Vice Pro-Chancellor International and Local Director of DMU CI also sent a congratulatory video. Nearly 70 distinguished guests, including a delegation of faculties and students from USTB, Directors of other Confucius Institutes in the UK, DMU senior leadership and colleagues, CI partners and friends of different sectors of the societies participated in the celebration. The 10th Anniversary Celebration and Annual Board Meeting were both hosted by the CI Chinese Director GU Wei.

High-Level Visit and CI 10^th Annual Board Meeting

Before the anniversary celebration, the senior leadership delegation from USTB visited the Confucius Institute's office and classrooms, engaging in in-depth exchanges with the CI’s teachers and volunteers. They expressed their care and appreciation for the CI staff, affirming the excellence of their teaching and cultural work, and offered suggestions and expectations for the CI’s future development.

Following this, the 10th Annual Board Meeting between USTB and DMU was held at 1.30pm at the Confucius Institute. The meeting reviewed the 2023 work summary and 2024 work plan presented by Director GU Wei, as well as the 2023 financial report and 2024 budget. In her report, Director GU mentioned that after the epidemic, the two universities have gradually resumed high-level visits, and the academic exchanges and cooperation programmes between the two sides have also been strengthened, and the first USTB-DMU Joint Degree Show was also successfully held. The overall operation of Chinese teaching at the Confucius Institute in 2023 was good, the number of mandarin learners and the teaching quality have steadily improved, and gratifying achievements have been made in the promotion of a new Confucius Classroom, digital resources construction and curriculum diversification.

In addition, GU also introduced the achievements of the Confucius Institute's cultural activities. In 2023, 106 cultural activities of different scales were held, and 86 news articles in English and Chinese were released to the various UK and China media outlets, reaching a total audience of more than 40,000 people. In 2023, the Confucius Institute successfully held the Second Leicester Chinese Film Festival and 14 "China Day" activities for primary and secondary schools. For 2024, Director GU proposed further enhancing cooperation between the two universities, promoting high-level visits for more collaboration, increasing student exchanges, assisting with the Chinese language student summer camp in July, and organizing lectures in various academic fields. The aim is to integrate more deeply into De Montfort University, contribute to local multicultural development, improve teaching quality and academic standards, and promote the CI’s brand building and media presence.

The work report of the Confucius Institute in 2023 and work plan in 2024 were unanimously recognized by all the board members from both universities. The Meeting also conducted an in-depth discussion on the 2024 work plan and future cooperation plans between the two universities, reaching a consensus on how to advance cooperation and enhance student exchanges. The Board Meeting also approved the 2023 financial report and the 2024 budget. The CI 10th Annual Board Meeting concluded in a cordial and friendly atmosphere.

CI 10^th Anniversary Celebration and Cultural Showcase

At 3.30pm, the 10th Anniversary Celebration of the Confucius Institute officially began, with guests taking their seats to the melodious sound of the guzheng. Director GU Wei delivered the opening speech, introducing the distinguished guests. DMU Vice Chancellor Katie Normington then delivered a speech, warmly welcoming the guests from USTB and expressing heartfelt thanks to the Confucius Institute for providing a wide range of cultural courses to university staff and students, as well as the community and local schools at Leicestershire. She highly praised the CI’s contributions to Leicester’s multicultural development.

USTB President Professor YANG Renshu extended sincere congratulations on the CI’s 10th Anniversary, recognizing its significant contributions to Sino-British cultural exchange and dissemination. He expressed heartfelt thanks to the personnel from both universities who have contributed to the CI’s construction and development and put forward high expectations for the future close cooperation and development of the institute.

Minister-Counselor ZHANG Jin from the Education Section of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, in her speech, fully affirmed the efforts of the Confucius Institute in enhancing Sino-British friendship and cultural exchange. The Chinese International Education Foundation (CIEF)sent a congratulatory video, highly praising USTB-DMU CI for its colorful activities that promote cultural exchange and friendship between the two countries, and acknowledged the achievements in faculty and student exchanges and talent cultivation. Mr. CHEN Tongdu, UK Representative of the Centre for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC UK), sent a congratulatory letter, recognizing the Institute’s contributions to educational and cultural exchanges between China and the UK, and wishing USTB-DMU CI greater success in the next decade.

Mr. Simon Bradbury, DMU PVC International and Local Director of DMU CI, sent a congratulatory video, noting the critical role the CI plays in showcasing cultural diversity at De Montfort University and wishing the Institute continued success in the future.

The celebration also included the screening of a meticulously produced anniversary video by the CI’s teachers, which reviewed the development history and achievements of the Confucius Institute, filling everyone with pride and gratitude for the contributions made by various individuals to the CI's growth.

Following this, representatives of CI partners and students, Ms. Alice King, Associate Principal of Beauchamp College, Ms. Amanda Leandro, Director of Cosmopolitan Art, and Ms. Aleksandra Jaskowiec, CI student representative, also delivered speeches to sharing their working and learning experience with the CI as well as their congratulations and best wishes for the CI.

Following the speeches, amid the cheerful birthday song, President YANG Renshu, VC Katie Normington, Minister Counsellor ZHANG Jin, and CI Director GU Wei jointly cut the cake, celebrating the Confucius Institute’s 10th anniversary. After a group photo, all guests enjoyed a variety of cultural performances in the Leicester Gallery, which included a lion dance by the Leicester martial arts team Sifu Derek, ethnic dances by three students from USTB, a pipa ensemble by CI partner Mandy and her student, and a classical dance by the CI volunteer teachers, drawing rounds of applause. The anniversary celebration concluded in a joyful and harmonious atmosphere.

Looking Forward

The unremitting efforts of the CI’s staff over the past decade have made an essential platform between the University of Science and Technology Beijing and De Montfort University to promote Sino-British cultural exchange and Chinese language teaching. In the future, the Confucius Institute will continue to uphold its mission of promoting international Chinese communication, contributing even more to the exchange and mutual learning of Chinese and British cultures.

Written by: Niu Zihan
Revised by: GU Wei & LIU Jieli