Plans to establish the Confucius Institute at the Durban University of Technology are well on track with the University (DUT) having signed an agreement towards the establishment of the Institute with the Fujian Agriculture and Forest University (FAFU) this morning (Wednesday March 27, 2013).
The agreement, signed by DUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Ahmed Bawa and Professor Ye Huiling, Chairman of FAFU’s Council at the DUT Hotel School Conference Centre, DUT Ritson Campus, will lead to DUT becoming the first institution in KwaZulu-Natal to offer Mandarin courses to staff, students as well as the local business community. The agreement will also see the eThekwini Municipality’s International Relations Office using the services of DUT trained Chinese language professionals for language translation and interpretation services during business meetings or cultural events hosted by the City. The DUT Confucius Institute will also serve as a vital academic, intellectual and cultural bridge between South Africa and China as well as promote strong links between the two countries as well as amongst the culturally diverse communities living in Durban and KZN.
“I hope the Confucius Institute works well for our students,” said Prof Bawa before signing the agreement, adding that the DUT CI would act as a “bridge” between South Africa and China that would allow for the flow of different traffic including research, scholars, students, music and art. He said the two universities needed to make this “bridge” vibrant for the movement of people, culture and research to happen.
“The Confucius Institute (at DUT) also provides an important link with the Fujian Agriculture and Forest University. There’ll be many opportunities for us to collaborate in a range of areas. I’m positive that this will be a partnership between equals”, said Prof Bawa.
Eric Apelgren, eThekwini Municipality International and Government Relations Head of Department said the DUT CI is an important building block in the BRICS relationship. Because there are many Chinese nationals residing in the City, the DUT CI would not only empower South African locals in becoming more efficient in conducting business with the Chinese nationals, it will also improve integration. “I look forward to the Confucius Institute building stronger bonds between us and China”, said Apelgren.
Madam Xu Lin, Chief Executive of the Confucius Institute Headquarters in Beijing, China, said the CI is very popular around the world, with the Institute existing in over 100 countries. “The mission of the Confucius Institute is the promotion of the Chinese language. We are not looking at this relationship as a one way street. We want to collaborate and learn from you so that it’s an exchange and we learn from each other,” said Madam Lin.
FAFU’s qualified and experienced Chinese language research and teaching faculty members will provide the necessary administration and management assistance to DUT’s CI Board of Advisers to serve under the direction of Professor Kenneth Netshiombo, DUT Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Design and Dr Samuels. The DUT CI Board of Advisers will serve as the oversight authority to ensure efficient communications with its partner (FAFU H&SS) when running of the Institute’s various language, cultural and research programs.
It is envisaged that the DUT CI will be located on the Miriam Bee building on the ML Sultan Campus, home to the Language and Translation Department which falls within the Faculty of Arts and Design. This location was chosen because the Language and Translation Department already offers two programmes, Language Practice and Translation and Interpreting Practice which are of important relevance to this initiative. Furthermore, this location is strategically positioned because the programmes of Language and Translation will share mutual interests and facilities with the Confucius Institute in terms of teaching and learning, research and community engagement. These fit and support the advancement of the multilingual and multicultural education priorities of the Durban University of Technology.
– Sinegugu Ndlovu
Caption: Professor Ye Huiling, FAFU Council Chairman and Professor Ahmed Bawa, DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal sign the DUT Confucius Institute agreement this morning (Wednesday March 27, 2013) at the DUT Hotel School Conference Centre.
