CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE FOR SCOTLAND 2007-2011 EDUCATION | BUSINESS | CULTURE EDUCATION | BUSINESS | CULTURE WELCOME 欢迎 he worldwide network of for engagement with China at has proven to be a key to our T more than 350 Confucius all levels helping to ensure that success, and it is a great pleasure Institutes established over the Scotland becomes a key partner to publicly thank all those who past few years, is a highly visible for China in education, business have worked with us enabling manifestation of increased and culture. numerous worthwhile and interest levels in China. After We are delighted that our enjoyable collaborations. five years delivering learning efforts have been recognised I look forward to the future, experiences on China in by four consecutive Awards of working with friends, old and language, business and culture, Excellence for the years new, on the journey that lies it seems a good time to review 2007-2010 from our Chinese ahead. our past activities whilst partners in the Ministry of Staff at the Confucius Institute for Scotland CONTENTS developing potential new long Education, Hanban, with a Sincerely Left to right: 3 Welcome term plans. Today, the question special award being given to the Frances Christensen, General Manager 4 A Venue for Prestigious Sino-Scottish Meetings is no longer, why to engage Principal in our fifth year, 2011. Jie Chen, Business Development Administrator 6 A Centre of Excellence for Chinese Language & Culture with China, but how to do so We could not have become Wang Shunqing, Co-Director 8 A Network of Knowledge on China meaningfully with tangible and one of the leading Institutes Professor Natascha Gentz, Director 10 A Coordinator of Chinese Cultural Events sustainable results. without tremendous support 14 A Way to Engage with China Across Scotland This publication gives some from Hanban, from our partner 16 A Link Between Business & Education insight into our first five year’s Fudan University, from our PROFESSOR NATASCHA GENTZ 18 A Hub for Sino-Scottish Friendship activities and tries to explain our many partners in educational, Director of the 20 Major Events 2007 - 2011 ideas, aims and visions. From business and cultural circles – Confucius Institute for Scotland the outset, we set our sights high and of course from the University Chair of Chinese Studies aiming to provide a platform of Edinburgh. Partnership in the University of Edinburgh KEY PARTNERS www.confuciusinstitute.ac.uk | 3 EDUCATION | BUSINESS | CULTURE PICTURES 1. Scotland’s First Minister, A VENUE FOR Alex Salmond, meets Confucius. 2. Abden House, home of PRESTIGIOUS the Institute. 3. ‘Graduation Ceremony’ SINO-SCOTTISH after a BFA training week. MEETINGS ased in Abden House, networking events and forum B a beautiful baronial discussions with organisations style mansion, housing stylish as varied as the Regional Export reception rooms, the Institute Club, 48 Group Club Scotland, has welcomed many senior and BNP Paribas. decision makers from China Our links with partner and Scotland. These include Universities in China have the Chinese Vice-Minister increased significantly. of Education, the Chinese Welcoming delegations from Ambassador to the UK, the partner Universities, holding First Minister of Scotland, the discussion rounds and signing Secretary of State for Scotland, ceremonies are regular the UK Ambassador to China, features of the Institute’s the First Secretary for Scottish operations. Collaboration Affairs at the UK Embassy with Chinese partners also 3 in Beijing, and the Scottish includes leadership training Ministers for education and programmes, as for NAEA or the culture. Beijing Film Academy. Sharing CASE STUDY expertise is not only building UNIVERSITY LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAMME CREATING bridges between Universities FOR THE CHINESE NATIONAL ACADEMY CONNECTIONS but also to relevant cultural OF EDUCATION ADMINISTRATION On the business front, and educational institutions in In 2009, a 25 strong delegation from China, including the Institute has hosted Scotland. Principals, VPs and senior executives from national universities presentations, dinners, talks, along with Ministry of Education officials, attended a week long series of exchanges with higher education colleagues. A second group visited in 2011. MME XU LIN, Their programmes featured talks and discussions on topics such as university governance and management, curriculum DIRECTOR OF development, quality assessment, research management, 1 HANBAN, academic enhancement, external engagement, and knowledge ASSESSED THE management. The groups also had the chance to attend lectures INSTITUTE AS and seminars around the University as well as visit world class A key role of the Confucius Institute is facilities such as the Queen’s Medical Research Institute and the “EXCELLENT” to host high-level meetings between Informatics Forum. political, educational and business “ WE WERE DELIGHTED TO TAKE PART decision-makers from both countries. IN THIS EXCHANGE BETWEEN CHINA Our prestigious headquarters at AND SCOTLAND. THE PROGRAMME Abden House, part of the University of GAVE US MANY IDEAS TO TAKE BACK Edinburgh, is a superb venue. Indeed TO OUR INSTITUTIONS IN CHINA” Xu Jie it is a physical expression of Scotland’s Associate-Professor, NAEA 2 commitment to engage with China. 4 | Confucius Institute for Scotland www.confuciusinstitute.ac.uk | 5 EDUCATION | BUSINESS | CULTURE A CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR CHINESE LANGUAGE & CULTURE PICTURES The Confucius Institute offers up to 50 timetabled language 1. A Chinese language courses every year, as well as workplace classes, one-to-one class at the Institute. 2. A demonstration of teaching, cultural learning and school workshops to Chinese calligraphy. stimulate interest in the study of Chinese. 3. Trying the yang qin. “ OUR TEACHER IS FABULOUS! SHE EXPLAINS REALLY WELL, ENCOURAGES US ALL TO SPEAK AND REALLY ADDS TO WHAT THE TEXTBOOK OFFERS.” Alana Blewitt Language Student 1 2 3 earning a language is not just a linguistic skill it is a lifelong asset. L Our aim in providing a diverse programme of classes has enabled “ DESPITE CASE STUDY “IT WAS GREAT TO BE ABLE over 800 adults to enrol and to enjoy learning Chinese. Excellence in HAVING LIVED “ FROM INITIAL VIDEO CLASSES FOR THE UHI MILLENNIUM INSTITUTE TO ACCESS SUCH HIGH- teaching is paramount. Our seconded teachers from Fudan University ENQUIRY The first Chinese language classes in Scotland delivered by video conferencing are extremely motivated and experienced and have received awards IN CHINA FOR were piloted in autumn 2009. This innovative partnership between the Confucius QUALITY AND INTERESTING for their teaching. MORE THAN TO COURSE Institute and UHI Millennium Institute enabled students from Elgin and Morayshire TEACHING DESPITE BEING One of the few official Chinese language test centres in the UK the FIVE YEARS, COMPLETION, to learn the language without having to travel far from their homes. SO FAR FROM EDINBURGH. Institute offers the chance to achieve a door-opening qualification, as I LEARNED A I GOT EXACTLY The specially designed pilot course provided a practical introduction to the I ENJOYED THESE CHINESE the HSK exam is the only official language qualification recognised by WHAT I language, concentrating on speaking “survival Chinese” using the phonetics of the PRC. SURPRISING Pinyin. The students met their language teacher for an introductory session in LESSONS VERY MUCH, AND People also enjoy our classes on calligraphy, arts and traditional AMOUNT” WANTED” Moray College and then had weekly classes via video conferencing. The pilot group THE VIDEO LINK WORKED music, delivered by internationally recognised professionals or simply Graham Thompson Joan Creiger of students and their teacher found the experience very satisfying and excellent VERY WELL” join our weekly film programme and regular conversational ‘Chinese Cultural Course Language Student progress was made by the students. Frances M Scott Corner’. Attendee Since this pilot, students in Argyll and on the island of Mull have also joined our Elgin video conferencing classes. 6 | Confucius Institute for Scotland www.confuciusinstitute.ac.uk | 7 EDUCATION | BUSINESS | CULTURE A NETWORK OF KNOWLEDGE ON CHINA The Confucius Institute has commissioned a substantial outreach programme with almost 100 lectures given by senior academics, public intellectuals and professionals. A number of international conferences, both academic and public, have also been arranged with topics ranging from ‘Old Chinese’ to ‘India & China Business Conference’. “ TREMENDOUSLY EXCITING & INSPIRING” Prof Michael Puett Harvard University 1 2 3 5 PICTURES n order to promote colleagues and the community. provide a unique perspective 1. British Chinese I understanding of Drawing on more regional on China’s international CASE STUDY Language Teaching contemporary China, it expertise the Institute has engagement. CHINA: 60@60 Society delegates with the is important to provide provided a platform for local To mark the 60th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China Director of the Confucius information that is authoritative experts to share the rich Sino- AN INSPIRING in 2009, the Confucius Institute organized a varied programme Institute for Scotland, and based on academic or Scottish cultural links being CONFERENCE VENUE of special events, from a business conference to modern dance, Professor Natascha Gentz. professional expertise. forged in organisations such as The Institute is a perfect venue all reflecting on China’s