www.unesa.ac.id
Unesa.ac.id, SURABAYA-The State University of Surabaya (UNESA) held a celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Confucius Institute (CI) UNESA on Wednesday (10/11/2021). The event was held in a hybrid manner and broadcast live by UNESA Public Relations via Youtube. The event was attended by the UNESA academic community, partners and from China's Central China Normal University (CCNU) who attended virtually.
The event began with singing the national anthems of the two countries; Indonesia and China. This was followed by a video screening from the Confisius Institute (Mandarin Language Center) UNESA. The video describes the history of the establishment of the Confucius Institute at UNESA since May 19, 2011 which was initiated through a collaboration between CCNU and UNESA. Confucius Institute plays a major role in the development of Mandarin language education, teacher training, Indonesian-Chinese cultural exchange and many more.
Dr. Maria Mintowati, M. Pd stated that the Confucius Institute cooperated with the Department of Chinese Language and Literature, Faculty of Language and Arts, UNESA for 9 years. Confucius Institute plays a role in bringing in native speakers directly from China as Chinese language teachers in the Department of Chinese Language and Literature, as well as facilitating students majoring in Mandarin to study Mandarin directly in China.
CI and language and cultural exchange
Choling Xien, Secretary General of the Chinese International Education Foundation, in his first remarks congratulated UNESA and CCNU and thanked all those who have supported the construction of the Mandarin Language Center. The UNESA Mandarin Language Center, he continued, is a collaboration between UNESA and CCNU. This Chinese Language Center adapts to the local government and has helped UNESA and other universities open comprehensive Chinese courses such as listening, reading, etc.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the Chinese Language Center has continued to organize online learning, as well as conducting cultural introduction activities and academic research, compiling business Mandarin teaching materials, publishing journals, opening courses, and opening cultural windows for the local community. "We believe that UNESA will learn from previous experiences, namely taking advantage of advantages, maintaining characteristics, and continuing to innovate to improve the quality of CI teaching," he said.
He hopes that the UNESA Mandarin Language Center will continue to work closely with other parties in Indonesia, improve the Mandarin language and Chinese culture platform that follows the local community, make CI the most popular platform for Indonesian-Chinese cultural exchange and cooperation in educational programs between China and Indonesia will develop well.
Strengthen Indonesia-China relations
Meanwhile, the Chinese Consulate General in Surabaya, Consul Xu Jung Xi, said that in the last ten years China and Indonesia have established a comprehensive strategic partnership. The two sides fully synergize one belt and one road with the idea of a world maritime axis, demonstrated by major projects between the two countries. The prospect of cooperation in various fields including the humanities is getting wider, during this pandemic, cooperation between the two countries is increasing, such as in handling the pandemic which is currently a top priority. He believes, Indonesia can recover from the pandemic soon.
He emphasized that the establishment of CI has shortened the distance between the people of the two countries to get to know each other. CI is a platform for Indonesian teachers and students to learn Mandarin and understand Chinese culture, as well as strengthen relations between China and Indonesia. Since its establishment, CI has been committed to promoting language teaching and cultural dissemination and has done much to promote humanities exchange between China and Indonesia. He advised CI to look forward with continuous efforts to keep getting better. He hopes that CI will rise to a new level in delivering quality education.
CCNU Chancellor, Prof. Xouthong Hua wished CI a happy birthday for serving as a bridge for cultural and language communication. The Mandarin Language Center belongs to the world and belongs together. "For the past 10 years, CCNU and UNESA have jointly established the Mandarin Language Center and have also encouraged various fields such as Education, Politics, Communication, Culture and have benefited both parties," he said.
Constantly increasing: from 500 to 3,500 hours
CCNU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Khoxong Che, explained, the Mandarin Language Center initially only had 38 students, now there are 1,200 people who study Mandarin. Mandarin language lecture hours from 500 hours to 3,500 hours. From East Java spread to other provinces. He expressed his highest appreciation to all those who have provided assistance and support. CCNU attaches great importance to educational cooperation with Indonesia and has established cooperative relationships with more than 10 universities including UNESA.
CCNU is one of the universities that conduct studies on Indonesia. In 2017 CCNU established the RI-PRC Inter-Community Exchange Research Center, and carried out scientific research on talent educators and formed a high-level think tank. The center has been developing a cultural development forum for 3 consecutive years to encourage communication, culture, technology and education between China and Indonesia. "Since our establishment in 2011 we have sent 1000 deans, teachers, and volunteers and educated many local students and teachers," he explained.
Expect multi-field cooperation
UNESA Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Prof. Dr. Bambang Yulianto, M. Pd., said that all UNESA leaders are grateful to all parties who have worked together to improve the quality of education, including CCNU which has played an important role, especially in facilitating students to study in China, which has now grown tremendously. UNESA has worked to strengthen its positive influence on local communities through regional and national and international competitions.
UNESA wishes that cooperation is not only in the field of language, but furthermore by linking UNESA's advantages both in the fields of sports, arts and disability. So far, CI has shown good achievements in both academic and non-academic fields. He hopes that CI will continue to develop itself in the future, expand its wings to increase creativity and collaborate with other institutions to carry out activities outside the existing scheme. In addition, CI must also be able to take advantage of the digital world to develop themselves.
The event was continued with the delivery of a thank you video from various parties and partners. Then the award presentation by the Deputy Chancellor for Planning and Cooperation UNESA Dr. Sujarwanto, M.Pd., to the Faculty of Language and Arts UNESA, Widya Kartika University Surabaya, 17 August University Surabaya, East Java Chinese Language Education Coordination Institute, Indonesian Chinese Culture Center, Xin Chung Three Language School, Little Sun Three Language School, Singapore National Academy and Young Chun Chinese Center. Furthermore, the presentation of awards and souvenirs by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs UNESA to the Director of CI UNESA. (UNESA PR)
Reporter: Azhar
Editor: @zam*
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