The UO’s Confucius Institute has a full slate of events and activities planned as it begins its fifth year. The Office of International Affairs established the Confucius Institute for Global China Studies as part of a growing national and international trend to expand educational ties with China, promote language training and further intercultural understanding.
According to Ina Asim, history professor of pre-modern China and executive director of the UO Confucius Institute, the programming has met many of the goals outlined at the establishment of the institute and marked significant occasions, including the 40th anniversary of President Richard Nixon’s historic visit to China.
“The UO Confucius Institute has enhanced China-related programs and opportunities within the university community, and we have many exciting plans for the upcoming academic year as an important five-year milestone,” said Asim. “We are always looking for opportunities to connect students and faculty with the community, for example, and that has been a wonderful success.”
The UO Confucius Institute established a Confucius Classroom at Oak Hill School that is thriving with more than half of the students studying the Mandarin Chinese language. The institute’s efforts with continue this fall with a calligraphy presentation, music and martial arts performances, and a keynote lecture to mark Confucius’ birthday and Confucius Institute Day at the end of September/beginning of October. The institute partnered with the Eugene Public Library for the calligraphy presentation and the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art for the lecture and music and martial arts performances.
Other plans for the new academic year include a lecture about the greening of contemporary Chinese literature, the geography of forest protection, a China film night and a field trip with Asian Studies students to Portland’s Old Town Chinatown neighborhood.
Developed in partnership with East China Normal University in Shanghai, the UO Confucius Institute is part of a network of almost 100 Confucius Institutes at U.S. universities and more than 400 worldwide that have been established since 2004.
Some concerns have been raised about the freedom to address topics that may be deemed controversial because of the annual funding from the Chinese government. UO leaders disagree that exploration of topics has been limited.
“Our university’s commitment to knowledge sharing and exploration of differing viewpoints on important global issues has not waivered as a result of the establishment of the Confucius Institute, as has been suggested by some individuals,” said Dennis Galvan, vice provost for international affairs.
In November 2009, the UO signed an agreement with Hanban, the executive body of the Chinese Language Council International, to establish the Confucius Institute. The council is an organization affiliated with the Ministry of Education in China.
“Chinese culture is rich and the goal of the Confucius Institute is to introduce and deepen understanding and appreciation for it,” said Asim.
The UO Confucius Institute makes opportunities available for students on campus and abroad. The Chinese government scholarships and Confucius Institute scholarships are sending eight undergraduate and graduate students to study in China this academic year.
Last fall, the UO had approximately 1,800 international students from China – a total that has grown considerably in the past several years. When fall 2014 enrollment is finalized, that number will likely increase again.
—By Julie Brown, Public Affairs Communications