Category: announcements

`How China thinks` guest lecture – May 2008

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Prof Liu Dong of Peking University will talk on `Principles of Uncertainties in the field of Chinese Studies` in Appleton Tower from 5:30pm-7:30pm.

Doors will open at 5.30 and the lecture will begin at 6pm.

Liu Dong is Professor in Comparative Literature at Peking University and one of China`s leading intellectuals who also engages in public debates. Liu Dong has published numerous articles on Chinese intellectual history, reflecting on theories and practices of the field itself and defending Confucianism as practiced in contemporary China. He is editor of a large publications series in China as well as chief editor of the most important international intellectual journal `China Scholarship` (Zhongguo xueshu) in China.

Liu Dong is renowned for giving provocative talks and this one will be no exception. In `Principles of Uncertainties in the field of Chinese Studies`

Liu Dong challenges methodological and theoretical approaches from Western scholarship on China while he at the same time criticizes blind application of Western models by Chinese scholars, especially those studying abroad, which he occasionally mocks as `pidgin scholarship`.

This will be the first in a series of talks, organised by the Confucius Institute, on `how China thinks`, presented by leading Chinese intellectuals.

CBBC/CNIS Networking Evening

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Business strand of China Now in Scotland launches at Kelvingrove Museum, Glasgow.

Chairman of CBBC,Sir David Brewer welcomed the guests and outlined the plans for the Business strand of China Now in Scotland before Mme Tan Xiutian, Consul General for China in Scotland addressed the audience. Jack Perry, CEO of SDI, sponsor of the evening also gave a rousing address to the assembled guests.

The evening launched the Business strand of China Now in Scotland which will see a number of events take place around Scotland in summer and autumn 2008.

Mme Tan

Faces of Confucius Lecture Series – April – July 2008

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A series of six public talks by internationally renowned Sinologists from universities in the USA, Europe and Asia organised by the Confucius Institute for Scotland will take place in the Raeburn Room, Old College, Edinburgh over April, May and June.

Lecture 1: Confucius Envy: The burden of the Chinese commentator to shape the sage

Monday 14 April 2008, 6pm – 7.30pm
Speaker: Prof Rudolph G Wagner, Heidelberg University.

Lecture 2: Cultic Confucius

Monday 21 April 2008, 6pm – 7.30pm
Speaker: Prof Thomas A Wilson, Hamilton College.

Lecture 3: The Religious Dimensions of Confucianism

Monday 19 May 2008, 6pm – 7.30pm
Speaker: Prof John Berthrong, Boston University.

Lecture 4: Lives of Confucius: The Analects vs the Historical Records` Accounts

Tuesday 3 June 2008, 6pm – 7.30pm
Speaker: Prof Michael Nylan, Berkeley University.

Lecture 5: Confucius the Enlightened Philosopher

Monday 9 June 2008, 6pm – 7.30pm
Speaker: Prof Joachim Gentz, University of Edinburgh

Lecture 6: Confucianism in China today

Thursday 10 July 2008, 5.30pm – 7pm
Speaker: Prof Wang Hui, Tsinghua University.

Edinburgh and Lothian Export Club evening

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Over 40 business representatives from as far away as Aberdeen and Ayr, attended a business networking evening ‘China – with a difference!’.

The evening which was co-sponsored by Edinburgh & Lothian Export Club and YRC Logistics, the global freight logistics company, gave all present insights into cost effective import/export practices before our special guest speaker shared his insights into the rich cultural experience which is Chinese food.

Networking continued after the presentations over a buffet and drinks.

For more information on joining the Edinburgh & Lothian Export Club please contact info@frenchkiss-design.com.

For more information on YRL Logistics services please email:martin.craghill@yrclogistics.com.

Asia Links Conference: interKULTUR

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Academics from China, Germany and Edinburgh held a three day working conference at the Confucius Institute.

interKULTUR is a collaborative European-Chinese project to develop an international higher education curriculum focusing on inter-cultural content, inventive didactic practice, and the application of new media in developing teaching material and course delivery.

For More Information on interKULTUR

Cabinet Secretary visits Confucius Institute

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In advance of a forthcoming visit to China the education secretary Fiona Hyslop, visited the Confucius Institute.

The minister addressed a group of 32 scholarship students who are headed out to China to take part in Easter and summer schools in Shanghai and Beijing where they will have the chance to learn Chinese and gain some insights into Chinese culture.

The minister will lead an educational delegation to China next month to strengthen existing links and develop new iniatives in education and research.

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Lantern Festival Launches CNIS

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First Minister opens 2008 programme.

Strengthening our links with China in education, commerce, culture and science will help create the Celtic Lion economy we aspire to, First Minister Alex Salmond said today.

The First Minister was speaking at the launch of China Now In Scotland (CNIS), the largest festival ever in Scotland to be devoted to China.

The First Minister was joined at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) by a number of dignitaries from both countries to open Spirit, the Chinese Spring Lantern Festival – the first of more than 100 events being co-ordinated by the Confucius Institute for Scotland as part of China Now in Scotland.

Mr Salmond said:

“Tonight`s event marks not just the end of the Chinese New Year but the start of a year long programme of events celebrating Scotland`s links with China”.

“My government places real value on our growing partnership with China. Building trade links internationally is vital to our future economic success, and China is clearly a key market for Scotland. We are fortunate to already have strong links with China. You only have to look at the number of Scottish businesses, universities, and school children working together and learning to see the mutual benefits of this partnership”.

“China Now In Scotland provides a real opportunity to celebrate our friendship and economic opportunities with China. The Botanics` Lantern Festival is a spectacular start to what I am in no doubt will be a year-long success of events, promoting this bond, across Scotland.”

Special Guest Lecture – February 2008

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Prof Lauren Pfister, Hong Kong Baptist University 18 February.

The Confucius Institute will play host to a special lecture from Professor Lauren Pfister, Professor of Religion and Philosophy/Humanities at the Hong Kong Baptist University.

On Monday 18 Feb at 6.30pm he will deliver a lecture “How Two 19th Century Scottish Sinological Stars Used Scottish Realism and Evangelical Theology to Undergird their Study of China: A Hidden Philosophical and Religious Legacy in the Works of James Legge(1815-1897) and John Chalmers (1825-1899)”.

Professor Pfister specializes in the philosophical and religious study of Ruism (“Confucianism”) and Daoism in Chinese settings. His work focuses particularly on Ruist-Christian dialogue in European and Chinese languages. Previously published works include studies on Daoist-Christian interactions and dialogue; the special role of missionary-scholars in Chinese, European, and North American contexts especially among Protestant communities from 1850 to the post-World War II period.

The public in invited to the Confucius Institute for Scotland at 6.00pm for 6.30pm when the lecture will begin.

Respect for the past

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A delegation of Chinese school students on an exchange visit to Merchiston Castle School, visited the Confucius Institute to pay their respects to an historic graduate.

The visiting students from the city of Zhuhai in Guangdong province were thrilled to meet Huang Kuan who achieved his doctorate in medicine at the University of Edinburgh, 150 years ago. The two-metre high bronze of Huang Kuan was donated to the Confucius Institute by the city of Zhuhai in Guangdong province in recognition of his importance as the first Chinese graduate of any European university.

Zhuhai Secondary Shool and Merchiston Castle School are Sister Schools. They are working on future long term student exchange programmes.

100 Full Scholarships to China offered

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30 March is the deadline set for submission of applications for full scholarships to China for the academic year 2008-09. Scholarships are available to non Chinese speakers as well as those who have some ability in Mandarin.

This comprehensive programme invites applications in all disciplines and at various levels. This is the second year of the Chinese Government Scholarship Programme (EU Window). The application process is straightforward but will take some time to prepare.

Young people between 18 and 35 (including 18 and 35) from EU countries with senior high school diploma and above are welcome to apply for this programme.

100 events and counting!- February – March 2008

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The work of the Confucius Institute for Scotland in coordinating the year long festival China Now in Scotland is about to become visible!

With over 100 separate events already in place for the 2008 China Now in Scotland celebrations, work is underway on the new website which will feature all events taking place under this umbrella festival.

Opening later this month the website will enable visitors to find out what is happening on a daily basis. In addition, the site will feature free downloads, regular competitions and will allow event organisers to submit their own events for inclusion in the China Now in Scotland programme for 2008.

The year begins with Chinese Community Celebrations taking place from early February as the official date of Chinese New Year, 07 Feb 2008,Year of the Rat approaches. The main programme is launched at Spirit-Chinese Spring Lantern Festival taking place at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh from 22 February for three weeks.

The Institute staff has been working to secure interest and participation from a range of event organisers but there is always room for more!

Confucius Institute for Scotland gains chart success

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Despite its relative youth the Confucius Institute for Scotland has been judged to be in the top twenty of over 200 Confucius Institutes worldwide.

At a ceremony next week to be held in the Great Hall of the People, Tiananmen Square, Beijing the Confucius Institute for Scotland will be recognised by Hanban, the Office of Chinese Language Council International, as being one of the top twenty in the world. Professor Natascha Gentz, director of the Confucius Institute for Scotland, will receive a trophy marking the success of the Institute.

Open Evening at the Confucius Institute – December 2007

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Come along on Friday 7 December 1800-2000 to participate in our taster language and cultural classes.

Our Open Evening gives you the opportunity to make your New Year resolution in December. Sample a Chinese language lesson, try your hand at calligraphy and enjoy some Chinese music and cultural insights.

With the China Now in Scotland festival taking place next year in the run up to and beyond the Beijing Olympics 2008 is an ideal time to discover China, right here in Scotland.

With classes already filling up for next term which starts Monday 14 January come along and learn about China at the Confucius Institute for Scotland.

Call us on 0131 662 2180 or simply drop in on Friday 7 December between 6pm and 8pm.

Chinese Ambassador visits Confucius Institute

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Following a lecture at the Playfair Library, Mme Fu Ying toured the new headquarters of the Confucius Institute for Scotland.

Her Excellency Mme. Fu Ying, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People`s Republic of China to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, spent the day at the University of Edinburgh where she had a number of meetings with the Principal and key staff. Her lecture on the theme of `Educational Co-operation between China and Great Britain` was received with interest and great attention by the invited audience.

Mme Fu had a number of meetings throughout the day and finished her visit with a tour of the Confucius Institute.

Lufthansa offers complimentary tickets to support festival

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Airline offers complimentary tickets to support festival.

Lufthansa logo

Lufthansa German Airlines which flies daily to China from Scotland via Frankfurt has signed up as official airline sponsor for China Now in Scotland. A number of event providers will benefit from Lufthansa`s sponsorship which will enable Chinese artists to participate in a number of activities being planned for the China Now in Scotland festival.

Hanban Director and Delegation visit to Confucius Institute for Scotland

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A high level delegation, led by Mme Xu Lin, Director General of Hanban, visited Abden House on Wed 24 October.

Mme Xu was warmly welcomed to the Institute by the Principal, Professor Timothy O`Shea. The group were given a tour of the building before Professor Natascha Gentz, Director of the Confucius Institute for Scotland gave a presentation on the current activities of the newly opened Institute.

Hanban Director and Delegation visit to Confucius Institute for Scotland
Hanban Director and Delegation visit to Confucius Institute for Scotland

 

First Minister unveils a bright future

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The official opening of the Confucius Institute for Scotland by Alex Salmond, Scotland`s First Minister saw invited guests and members of the press attend an unveiling ceremony at Abden House.

The official opening of the Confucius Institute for Scotland by Alex Salmond, Scotland`s First Minister saw invited guests and members of the press attend an unveiling ceremony at Abden House.

On arrival the First Minister was `introduced` to Confucius, a beautiful bronze bust, gifted to the Institute by Hanban, sponsors of the Confucius Institute. Principal Timothy O`Shea welcomed the First Minister and Minister Counsellor Wang from the Chinese Embassy to the Institute along with other special guests including senior representation from Fudan University, the Chinese Consul General and a 12-strong delegation from Zhuhai Province.

Having formally opened the Institute and launched China Now in Scotland, the First Minister then unveiled a 2 metre high statue of Huang Kuan, the first Chinese graduate of any European university, who achieved his doctorate in medicine at the University of Edinburgh, 150 years ago.
This statue was donated by the city of Zhuhai Province in Guangdong province from where Huang Kuan originated.

With the official proceedings at an end, the First Minister led the way in signing a commemorative scroll under the tutorship of Mme Szeto, calligraphy teacher at the Institute.

Many thanks go to all staff, students, volunteers and guests whose support and presence ensured the launch activities were successful.

Guest Speaker Events – October 2007

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Mid-October will see two special evening events taking place.

On Thursday 18 October in Lecture Room 4 of the Appleton Tower, University of Edinburgh, George Square, Edinburgh a lecture will be delivered by Dr Boy Luethje of the Frankfurt Institute for Social Research. The topic is “Behind the China Price: Capitalist Transformation, Work & Trade Unions in China”.

A massive shift in economic power is under way with China leading the world in manufacturing and export and with prices that undercut all competitors. But for the workers, what is the real cost of the Chinese economy ?

A discussion following the presentation will be chaired by Dr Gentz, Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Edinburgh.

This event will start at 17:30 and is scheduled to finish at 19:00.

Dr Luethje has taught in Germany, the USA and Hawaii and since 2004 has been a Senior Lecturer at the Franfurt School of Social Research. His research interests include political economy of production and innovation, international division of labour, and industrial relations.
He is also a Labour educator for German unions in the information and communications industry.

The second event will take place on Friday 19 October. Entitled `Our History is Still Being Written` the evening will provide some fascinating cross-cultural history focusing as it does on the story of three Chinese -Cuban generals in the Cuban Revolution. Please see the PDF for full details.

Music & Calligraphy workshops

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Taster workshops offered at the Confucius Institute. 

In October four taster sessions designed to illustrate the relationship between music and calligraphy will run at the Confucius Institute for Scotland.

Led by Kimho Ip and Mme Szeto each workshop will last for 2 hours. Priced at only £25 per person a maximum of eight places are offered on each date. Each workshop will run from 14.00-16.00 on Monday afternoons.

You can reserve a place on a Taster Workshops on either Monday 1st, Monday 8th, Monday 22nd or Monday 29th. In the first instance simply call us on 0131 662 2180 to reserve a place.

In November a maximum of four places are available for a three week programme of two hour workshops running Monday 5th, 12th and 19th November. The cost for the November Workshop series is £240 inclusive of all materials.

All workshops are hands-on and students will be able to take their finished work away. Places are limited so please register now.

Open Day at the Confucius Institute – September 2007

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Wednesday 19 September will see the Confucius Institute for Scotland hold an Open Day.

From 11am-7pm the team will be ready to welcome you to the Institute where in a short visit you will be able to try to learn a little Chinese, review course materials and check out the facilities we have to offer. In addition to the language and cultural programme presentations the Open Day will give you the chance to watch (and perhaps imitate) a maestro at work on the Yangqin, the beautiful Chinese hammered dulcimer. You will also be able to watch a film, and perhaps try your hand at calligraphy.

This is a great opportunity to find out more about the various programmes on offer, meet the Institute staff, tour public areas of the building, and view the gardens. We hope you will come along and to help us ensure we can welcome you appropriately we would encourage you to pre-register if at all possible. Simply download the enrolment form and email, fax or post this back.

Alternatively give us a call on 0131 662 2180 Failing which, please just come along!

This Open Day will take place prior to the official launch and opening activities planned for late September. Be among the first to know…Book now!

Download Enrolment Form