Posted 28 September 2010
Irish and Chinese governments to co-finance new building for UCD Confucius Institute for IrelandThe governments of the Republic of Ireland and the People's Republic of China have agreed to co-finance a new flagship building for the UCD Confucius Institute for Ireland at University College Dublin.
The Institute will promote the Chinese language, academic study of China and public awareness of Chinese culture in Ireland. It will also strengthen educational, cultural and business links between the two countries.
Dr Hugh Brady, President of UCD and HE Mr. Li Changchun, Member of the Standing Committee of Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, meeting students during an official visit to University College Dublin
It will serve as a national resource through collaboration, partnerships and outreach programmes involving educational, cultural and business organisations and other relevant stakeholders. In addition, the Institute will continue to build and strengthen its relationships with relevant Chinese institutions, most notably its founding academic partner Renmin University of China.
“This will be the first Confucius Institute internationally to receive capital funding from the Chinese authorities and testifies to the strong performance of the institute since it was established in 2006,” a statement released by the Government Press Office said.
HE Mr. Li Changchun meeting students during an official visit to University College Dublin
The agreement was signed during the official visit to Ireland of HE Mr. Li Changchun, Member of the Standing Committee of Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
“The UCD Confucius Institute for Ireland, and Chinese Studies in general, are priority projects that link directly to UCD’s strategic aim to be one of the world’s leading research-intensive universities,” said Dr Hugh Brady, President of UCD.
“We strive to produce graduates who are global citizens and equipped with the knowledge, skills and trans-cultural awareness to flourish in an increasingly globalised economy and society. UCD has many educational and research links with prestigious Chinese universities and in our recently-launched strategic plan for the period to 2014, we stated that the UCD Confucius Institute for Ireland, the first of its kind in this country, will serve as a ready-made channel to develop relationships with China.”
Dr Liming Wang is Director of the UCD Confucius Institute for Ireland.
(Produced by UCD University Relations)
