On Monday 19th Sept the Institute celebrated its 10th Anniversary and the award of Model Institute status with the official opening of two additional buildings creating the first Confucius Campus in the world – download our campus map.
The New Buildings
Located only a few hundred metres from Abden House, home of the Confucius Institute for Scotland since it launched, the two additional buildings at nos 79 & 81 Dalkeith Road previously operated as University nursery premises. The £1million development increases capacity at the Institute with an additional six teaching and study rooms as well as a specialist library for students undertaking postgraduate Chinese Studies courses and evening classes. Download the campus-map here.
A day long programme of events marked this anniversary which saw the University’s Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Timothy O’Shea unveil a Model Institute Award Plaque with Ma Jian Fe, Deputy Director of Hanban.This was followed by the traditional ribbon cutting ceremony with a number of presidents of Chinese and European partner universities.
Witnessed by 120 guests the morning events also included a keynote speech by Chen Liming, Chairman of IBM, Greater China – a visiting professor at the University – and the signing of a number of Memorandum of Understanding.
The Open House Afternoon programme gave staff, students and the general public the opportunity to tour the campus buildings where language tasters, calligraphy workshops, and musical instruments were all on offer along with Tai Chi, Chinese teas and delicious Chinese dumplings. Visitors ranged across the age groups and nationalities and the lovely Panda mascots were a hit with everyone.
The event concluded with a celebratory dinner at the Playfair Library with cultural interludes including a mini-fashion show of Qipao from our new partner Donghua University’s College of Fashion and Innovation. Guests also enjoyed watching Institute calligrapher, Chi Zhang, create a calligraphy poem to specially composed music from Hugh MacKay on the cello. The short video of rehearsal and performanc Warriors! brought youthful energy into the room before guests were invited into Old College Quad for a beating the retreat finale.
The University of Edinburgh’s Confucius Institute for Scotland has developed a strong reputation, introducing people to the Chinese language, advising Scottish companies seeking to do business in China and staging award-winning cultural events.
Professor Natascha Gentz, Chair of Chinese Studies at the University and Director of the Institute, said: “The past 10 years has been a period of considerable achievement, with the Institute helping to foster closer links between people in Scotland and China. This major investment will support our provision of post-graduate programmes and our aim of extending our range of activities. A key strand will be to work more closely with local schools, enabling children to learn a new language and discover more about Chinese culture.This is an important time in the life of the Institute and we look forward with confidence to the next 10 years.”
