Charles Darwin University is set to become a “hub” of Chinese language and culture education in the Northern Territory with the opening of the Confucius Institute on its Casuarina campus next week (July 31).
Named after the Chinese scholar and philosopher, the institute will focus on teaching Chinese language and culture through innovative new media and creative arts technologies.
CDU Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Confucius Institute Co-Director Professor Sharon Bell said the institute was a partnership between CDU and the Anhui Normal and Hainan universities in China, and would focus on teaching Chinese culture and language.
“The Confucius Institute will strengthen research, teaching and cultural links between the Northern Territory and China,” Professor Bell said.
She said the institute would combine online delivery to enhance learning and research opportunities for students.
“Innovative online instructional technology and new media will enable CDU’s Confucius Institute to extend the teaching and learning of Chinese language and culture beyond traditional classrooms.
The state-of-the-art online delivery language laboratory and audio-visual technology will also assist those learning in remote locations of the NT,” she said.
Professor Bell said the institute would also help to enhance cultural activities and support Chinese language development within the local NT Chinese community.
“The institute will work closely with the local Chinese community to strengthen their cultural heritage, while providing educational opportunities to those wanting to pursue Chinese language and cultural studies.”
“We look forward to the arrival of our Chinese partners next week who will join us in the celebrations, and we particularly look forward to welcoming the Chinese Co-Director Mr Donghe Liu.”
Confucius Institutes are non-profit institutions established and supported by the Government of the People’s Republic of China to strengthen education cooperation between China and Australia, support and promote the development of Chinese language education, and to increase mutual understanding among people in China and in Australia. For further information visit: www.cdu.edu.au/confucius-institute.
The Charles Darwin University Confucius Institute is located on CDU’s Casuarina campus in Building Orange 2. For further map information visit: http://www.cdu.edu.au/campusmaps/maps/cas_map.pdf