It has been a red-letter-day for the Chinese teaching program at Charles Darwin University (CDU) with the establishment of a Confucius Institute at CDU’s Casuarina campus.
Northern Territory Chief Minister Paul Henderson joined CDU Vice-Chancellor Professor Barney Glover yesterday to celebrate the agreement that will see the Institute come to Darwin.
“Securing a Confucius Institute in Darwin is a landmark step in bilateral relations between China and the Northern Territory,” Mr Henderson said.
“The Institute, a partnership between CDU and the Hainan and Anhui Normal universities in China, will have a focus on teaching Chinese culture and language to people living in remote areas.
“The Northern Territory has always had close cultural and trading ties with China, particularly through our local Chinese community and this will deepen those ties,” Mr Henderson said.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Barney Glover said the demand for Chinese language and cultural studies was widespread throughout the Territory.
“With the first students expected to enrol at the new institute in 2012, this is an immensely important day for CDU in being able to provide tertiary education to those wanting to pursue Chinese language and cultural studies.
“What makes this institute unique is that in addition to regular classes on campus, it will enable people living in remote communities and working full-time to have access to online lessons,” Professor Glover said.
The new institute will work closely with the local Chinese community to strengthen their continuing efforts to preserve and pass on their cultural heritage.
Professor Glover recognised the work of the NT Government, particularly the Chief Minister, in helping to secure the Confucius Institute for CDU.