First Confucius Institute opened in NSW

The University of Sydney is now home to the first New South Wales Confucius Institute. The Institute launch ceremony was held in the courtyard of the Old Teachers’ College on June 17, 2008.

"This Institute will certainly support the need and the wish of Australians to embrace and acquire deeper understanding of the rich Chinese culture," said the Chancellor, Professor Marie Bashir.

The launch was hosted by Professor John Hearn, Deputy Vice Chancellor (International). Vice-chancellors present and future, Professor Gavin Brown and Professor Michael Spence, witnessed the unveiling of a statue of Confucius. Also in attendance were the Chinese Consul General Mr Qiu Shaofang, Professor Zhu Yongsheng from Fudan University and about 100 guests from government, academia, the corporate sector, and professional bodies.

The Confucius Institute aims to be the leading Chinese cultural and language centre in NSW. It will promote understanding of Chinese culture and influence the teaching of Chinese language and culture in schools, universities and beyond.

Sydney's Confucius Institute is the first stage in the University’s plan to host a research-focused China Centre, according to Professor John Hearn. "While the Confucius Institute will focus on language and culture, it is step one in our plan to open a broader China Centre which will support research collaborations with China across the University."

Professor Bashir said: "It is a very, very great pleasure for me to join you all for this celebration. It’s a very wonderful step which will have enormous dividends in the future."

Professor Bashir said: "It is a very, very great pleasure for me to join you all for this celebration. It’s a very wonderful step which will have enormous dividends in the future."

Professor Brown said the Institute would "concentrate on Chinese culture, language and understanding. But it is a focal point for a much wider understanding of China and a much wider engagement with China which will in due course develop even more in the University".

The Chinese Consul General agreed, saying while Confucius Institutes have been set up around the world to aid understanding of the Chinese philosophy of harmony, "this Institute is special because it finds its place in one of the most distinguished universities in the world. I hope this Confucius Institute not only provides language programs but also enhances bilateral strengths in education and research."

Sydney alumnus Professor Zhu Yongsheng, Dean of the International Culture and Exchange School at Fudan University, Sydney's partner in the Confucius Institute, also spoke. He graduated from Sydney with an MA in Linguistics in 1985.

"Today is special. I feel extremely happy and extremely excited because I was a student here. A long separation, but now I'm back. Everything is so familiar, so intimate. All this reminds me of my student days. My two years here benefited me a great deal. I would like to avail myself of this rare opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to all my teachers and all my new friends here,” said Professor Yongsheng. "I will do all I can on my part to make this Confucius Institute successful, to make it one of the best – the best – throughout the world."