Confucius Institute News - 2008 |
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Merry Christmas
The team at the Confucius Institute would like to wish all of our friends and partners the very best for Christmas and the New Year. Click on the card below for our Christmas greetings to you!
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Adelaide makes an impact at Confucius Institute Conference
After another busy year working hard to promote Chinese language and culture in South Australia, the Confucius Institute's Director Professor Mobo Gao, and the University of Adelaide's Pro-Vice Chancellor International Professor John Taplin attended the 3rd annual Confucius Institute Conference in Beijing in early December.
The conference brought together Directors and University Presidents from among the almost 250 Confucius Institutes now operating to hear about the successes and lessons learnt in 2008 and plans for 2009. About 500 delegates from all over the world attended the conference. Professor John Taplin was invited to give a speech and his speech was one of the best received and most highly regarded at the conference to which member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, state counselor and chairwoman of the Council of the Confucius Institute Headquarters, Liu Yandong, the Minister of Education Zhou Ji and the President of the Confucius Institute Headquarters Xu Lin attended.
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Confucius Institute Office Opening
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| Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Adelaide, Professor James McWha and Confucius Institute Director, Professor Mobo Gao at the opening. |
The new offices of the Confucius Institute at the University of Adelaide were officially opened by the University of Adelaides Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor James McWha, on Tuesday 18 November.
Also attending was the University of Adelaides Vice President (Services and Resources), Mr Paul Duldig, the Pro-Vice Chancellor (International) Professor John Taplin, as well as other representatives from the University of Adelaide, the education sector, Government and the business community who the Confucius Institute has worked with since its establishment.
The event also marked the official launch of Confucius Institute Director Professor Mobo Gao's latest book, The Battle for China's Past: Mao and the Cultural Revolution. The book was launched by Professor Nick Harvey, Executive Dean of the University of Adelaide's Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
The opening of the offices in the centrally located Wills Building in the heart of the University of Adelaides North Terrace Campus represents the next step in the development of the Confucius Institute.
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| Friends of the Confucius Institute at the opening of the its new offices. |
Launched in March 2007 with a mission to promote Chinese language and culture in the South Australian community, the Confucius Institute has already firmly established itself with a number of successful programs. These include study tours to China for university students and school principals, Chinese speaking competitions, training for teachers of Chinese, seminars, lectures and other events.
In the coming year the Confucius Institute has an ambitious program of activities for students and teachers of Chinese, the business community and the South Australian public.
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2008 CLTASA Chinese Language Awards
The Confucius Institute was delighted to support the Chinese Language Teachers Association of South Australia 2008 Chinese Language Awards held on Friday 21 November at Glenunga High School.
These awards have been given out to outstanding Chinese language students from primary and high schools across South Australia for many years, and this is the first year they have been sponsored by the Confucius Institute. The Awards are also sponsored by the Australian Chinese Medical Association (ACMA).
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| Primary winners. Photo: Iage Media |
This year the best students from forty three public, Catholic and independent schools were awarded with a certificates, gift vouchers and prizes in front of an audience of family members, friends, teachers and principals.
The evening also featured a keynote address from Ms Jacinta Thompson, Executive Producer of the OzAsia Festival, as well as speeches from Confucius Institute Director Professor Mobo Gao and ACMA President Dr Khimseng Tew.
Entertainment in the form of music, singing and dancing was provided by students from Loreto College, Highgate Primary School and St Peters College.
The Confucius Institute looks forward to continuing to work with the CLTASA on more projects in 2009.
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| Secondary winners. Photo: Iage Media |
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First HSK Exam held in Adelaide
On Sunday the 7th of December the Confucius Institute held the Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK) for the first time.
The HSK allows students who have learnt Chinese to gain a certification of their level of ability, and is the only international testing system available. Taking the test is particularly useful for students who are looking to continue their studies or work in China.
The Confucius Institute will hold the HSK again in 2009, so keep an
eye out on the HSK page of the Confucius Institute website for more
details.
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The Confucius Institute sends Delegation of School Principals to China
As part of its mission to increase the understanding of Chinese language and culture in the South Australian community, the Confucius Institute at the University of Adelaide is organising a delegation of school principals and leaders to visit China. In China from October 2 to October 11, the principals will experience first hand the culture of a country which will play an increasingly important role in the lives of their students.
The Confucius Institute is delighted that the Hon Lea Stevens MP, who has been a strong supporter of the Confucius Institute since its inception, will be leading the delegation.
The Delegation will visit the economic powerhouse of Shanghai and South Australia's sister-state of Shandong. While in China the Delegation will explore cultural and economic sites, conduct educational exchanges with schools in Shandong, and learn more about Chinese language and culture.
This delegation is supported by the Office of Chinese Language Council International (Hanban) and is organised in conjunction with the Confucius Institute's partner institution, Shandong University.
For more information about the Delegation please contact the Confucius Institute or call 8303 5819.
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South Australian Chinese Language Teachers' Conference a Great Success
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The Confucius Institute was privileged to host the 2008 South Australian Chinese Language Teachers' Conference on August 23.
The conference, organised in conjunction with the Chinese Language Teachers' Association of SA and the Chinese Language Curriculum Studies Association, with the support of the SA Department of Children's Services, had the theme Chinese language teaching and learning towards the future . In attendance were 67 participants from public and independent primary and high schools, including a number of student teachers.
Professor Mobo Gao, Director of the Confucius Institute, opened the conference and gave the keynote address, entitled Why Chinese language learning is needed in 21st century Australia [a copy of the speech is available here]. He was followed by Andrew Scrimgeour, who presented a plenary session entitled, Chinese matters for the future .
Following the addresses, the attendees participated in a range of workshops, focusing on either primary or secondary level teaching of Chinese, or on the teaching of background speakers. Presentations were made by leading teachers from the South Australian Chinese language teaching community.
The Confucius Institute looks forward to further supporting South Australian Chinese language teachers in the future.
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Confucius Institute Supports Chinese Language Learning for Young Students
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The Confucius Institute is delighted to announce it is a proud sponsor of this years Chinese Language Teachers Association of South Australia (CLTASA) Chinese Language Awards.
The awards are organised by CLTASA annually and funded by generous donations from the Australian Chinese Medical Association and the Confucius Institute at The University of Adelaide with the aim of encouraging the learning of Chinese Language and culture amongst our youth.
Merit awards will be presented to one Chinese language student (non-native speaker) from each school running a Chinese program in South Australia. All Chinese language students from schools with a Chinese program, both primary and secondary, public and private, are eligible for the prize.
Awards will be based on language skills, enthusiasm for Chinese studies, and knowledge and understanding of Chinese culture.
Certificates and prizes will be presented at Glenunga International High School on November 21st.
For more information contact Liu Fang, CLTASA, PO Box 10261, Adelaide, SA, 5000.
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6 Week Intensive Language Study Tour Shandong, Beijing and Shanghai
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Would you like to brush up on your Mandarin? Or perhaps start your journey toward learning one of the world's most spoken languages? Want to better your understanding of China?
Join the Confucius Institute at the University of Adelaide and Shandong University from late November to early January on a 6 week study tour to North-East China for some intensive language instruction, whilst soaking up the culture, meeting the locals, enjoying Chinese cuisine, and taking in the sights of Shandong, Beijing and Shanghai.
Participants undertake 5 weeks of intensive language study and will be streamed into classes suitable to their own level of Chinese, so beginners to advanced Chinese learners are all catered for. Participants do not have to be currently enrolled at the University of Adelaide to take part. The 6 week trip also includes one week of guided tours around Shandong, Beijing and Shanghai.
The cost of the tour, including tuition, accommodation, tours and transport in China (excluding international airfares) is $2600.
For further information or to register your interest, please contact the Executive Officer of the Confucius Institute, Glen Stafford.
To see a brochure, click here.
Please note: the Study Tour may not go ahead if minimum numbers are not reached.
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Adelaide Students win scholarships to study in China
With the support of the Confucius Institute the largest ever number of students from the University of Adelaide have won Chinese Government scholarships to continue their studies in China.
This year five Adelaide students will go to China to undertake programs ranging from intensive Chinese language courses to Doctoral research.
Their scholarships, administered by the China Scholarship Council via the Chinese Embassy in Canberra, cover all tuition fees, a living allowance and subsidies for other costs. All five scholars study or have studied Chinese at the University of Adelaide's Centre for Asian Studies.
The Confucius Institute has also assisted two other students from the University of Adelaide attend the Dragon Foundation's Dragon 100 Young Leaders' Forum which will be held in Hong Kong and Guangzhou from 22-30 August.
The Forum brings young ethnic Chinese leaders together to discuss "topical issues of global importance, and explore Chinese culture and heritage".
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The Confucius Institute has moved!
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Confucius at the Confucius Institute |
After being temporarily housed within the Centre for Asian Studies since its establishment, the Confucius Institute has now moved into its new location in the Wills Building.
With a beautiful aspect overlooking a pond and the statue of Confucius, the Confucius Institute is now in a prime, central position, easily accessible from North Terrace and other areas of the University.
Please see the map for directions.
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Star Chinese speaker returns from China
After doing Adelaide proud at the finals of the international Chinese speaking competition in Changsha, China, Georgie Day has now returned to Adelaide.
Georgie placed third at the preliminary finals held by the Confucius Institute in Adelaide earlier this year and did well enough to be specially invited to compete against other contestants from around the world
Read below Georgie's account of her experiences as a Chinese Bridge competition contestant.
Competing at the Chinese Bridge Finals
By Georgie Day
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During the past holidays, I had the privilege of representing Adelaide University and Australia at the 7th annual Chinese Bridge competition for foreign university students which was held in Changsha, China.
This year the competition welcomed 110 contestants from 55 countries who were all battling it out for the title of foreign Chinese speaking champion!
Contestants were given the opportunity to go travelling around China before the competition began, and after visiting the Great Wall and Olympic Stadium in Beijing students were taken to either Hangzhou, XiAn or Zhang Jia Jie to experience the Chinese culture first-hand.
I had a lot of fun participating in the competition, and it was great to gather together with other people who were also passionate about learning Chinese. It was both amusing and challenging speaking Chinese 24/7 and just after arriving in China I started speaking in English but received a friendly reminder from one of the staff that I needed to be speaking in Chinese!
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Participating in this competition was a wonderful opportunity to practice my language skills in a different and exciting way, and being constantly followed by TV cameras during the competition was definitely an interesting experience!
As part of just round one of the competition contestants had to take a written exam, give a prepared speech, give an unprepared speech, answer questions given by the judges, read a random passage in Chinese, give a 3 minute cultural performance, and finally give a 30 second self introduction in front of the cameras. The whole competition was much like Australian Idol really, complete with funky merchandise, except it was all in Mandarin Chinese!
One Australian contestant made it into the top 5; however, regardless of the outcome, I know that all 10 of the Australians who participated in the competition made their teachers, family, friends and Kevin Rudd very proud!
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Although I was not able to secure myself a place in the finals, I
just feel really blessed to have visited so many beautiful parts of
China and also to have met so many nice people from all around the
globe. I am very thankful to everyone who made this experience possible
for me, and if anyone is thinking about visiting China, without
hesitation I would say `\xBB' - GO!!!
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Confucius arrives at Confucius Institute
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Thanks to the generosity of the Shandong Provincial Government, the Confucius Foundation in China, Shandong University and a number of other Chinese donors, the Confucius Institute at the University of Adelaide now boasts its own large statue of its namesake, Confucius.
To be officially opened by a delegation from the Shandong Provincial Government after the Olympic Games, the statue signifies the strengthening partnership between the University of Adelaide and Shandong University as well as between South Australia and its sister-state Shandong Province.
The 2.6 tonne, two metre high stone statue was shipped to Adelaide from China and has been situated in the beautiful surrounds of Wills Court next to its serene pond and near the soon to be opened refurbished offices of the Confucius Institute.
The statue's position was chosen in accordance with the principles of Feng Shui on the advice of experts from the Centre for Asian Studies at the University of Adelaide.
Installing the statue proved to be a challenge and involved the use of the largest crane available in Adelaide.
More pictures of the installation.
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Shandong University Scholarships |
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Shandong University research scholarships available through Adelaide Confucius Institute
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For the first time the Confucius Institute at the University of Adelaide is working with Shandong University to provide scholarships for Australian students wishing to undertake Masters and Doctoral research programs in Shandong.
Shandong University is the Confucius Institute's partner institution in China.
These full Chinese Government scholarships are available for research in both Chinese and English and cover tuition, accommodation, registration and materials for the complete 2-3 year program.
More information about the scholarships and application process.
More information about the specialties available in Chinese.
More information about the Masters of Economics and Biomedical and Clinical Science Masters and Doctoral programs taught in English.
The closing date for applications is 31 May, 2008.
For further information about these scholarships, or to obtain an application package, please contact:
Glen Stafford
Executive Officer, Confucius Institute
The University of Adelaide, SA, 5005, AUSTRALIA
Phone: +61 8 8303 5819
Fax: +61 8 8303 3772
Email: glen.stafford@adelaide.edu.au
Web: www.confucius.adelaide.edu.au
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New Director Begins Work |
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Professor Mobo Gao Starts as Director of the Confucius Institute
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Professor Mobo Gao |
The Confucius Institute would like to welcome Professor Mobo Gao as its new Director.
Professor Mobo Gao is also Professor of Chinese Studies and a leading authority on the Chinese Cultural Revolution in the Maoist era. His latest book, The Battle of China's History: Mao and the Cultural Revolution is a reassessment of the Cultural Revolution and will be published this month.
Professor Gao's research also covers studies of rural China, contemporary Chinese politics, and linguistics.
Professor Gao comes to the University of Adelaide from the University of Tasmania where he was Associate Professor of Chinese Studies in the School of Asian Studies and Asian Languages.
He completed his undergraduate degree at Xiamen University in China and his Masters and PhD at the University of Essex in the UK.
An earlier book, Gao Village: Rural Life in Modern China (Hurst and Hawaii University Press), is widely used as an undergraduate and postgraduate textbook. He is currently working on a sequel.
At the University of Adelaide, Professor Gao will lead the new Confucius Institute, launched last year in partnership with Shandong University.
"I will be working with our partner Shandong University to teach Chinese language in Adelaide and to promote cultural understanding and exchange. Another significant part of our mission is to promote Australian culture to the Chinese and help the South Australian business community build opportunities within the Chinese market," Professor Gao said.
