On December 12, the 6th Confucius Institute Conference was held in Beijing. Li Changchun, Standing Committee Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, awarded certificates to Confucius Institutes of the Year 2011, and the Confucius Institute Individual Performance Excellence Award of the Year 2011. Liu Yandong, Chinese State Councilor and Chair of the Council of the Confucius Institute Headquarters, delivered a keynote speech. Yuan Guiren, Minister of Education of China, hosted the opening ceremony of the conference. Xu Xianming, President of Shandong University, was invited to attend the conference and delivered a speech.

In his speech, Xu Xianming introduced the history of Shandong University, the goal of building it into a world-class university, and the conditions about the seven overseas Confucius Institutes built by Shandong University. He said that, based on national and international needs, universities should not only perform the basic function of talent cultivation, scientific research and social service, but also fulfill the mission of cultural transmission, innovation, exchange and integration. As a university located in the hometown of Confucius, and as one of the most renowned universities in the study of traditional Chinese culture, Shandong University is taking full advantage of its strengths to achieve these goals. He also remarked that developing the Confucius Institute requires the participation and support of more universities. Putting an emphasis on the mission of cultural transmission, innovation, exchange and integration would also greatly help universities attain success in other fundamental areas.

During the conference, Xu Xianming had separate meetings with Jekuk Chang, President of Dongseo University, John Taplin,Pro Vice-Chancellorof the University of Adelaide, Suren Davaa, President of the National University of Mongolia and other presidents and representatives of universities which have built Confucius Institutes in partnership with Shandong University. He also met with the Chinese directors and foreign directors of the seven Confucius Institutes of Shandong University. Fan Liming, Vice-President of Shandong University also attended the meetings.

During this Confucius Institute Conference,Hock Kiat Koh, Director of Confucius Institute at Nanyang Technological University, and Chimedtseye Menerel, Director of Confucius Institute at National University of Mongolia, received the 2011 Confucius Institute Individual Performance Excellence Award. Even since the award was established in 2007, Shandong University has received eight awards in total. The 6th Confucius Institute Conference drew more than 2000 university presidents and representatives of Confucius Institutes from 105 countries and regions. Currently, there are 358 Confucius Institutes and 500 Confucius Classrooms established in 105 countries and regions around the world.

Written by: Yu Jialiu

Photo by: Xiao Wen

Edited by: Ben Hammer, Jing Zizhao

Source:www.en.sdu.edu.cn,www.view.sdu.edu.cn