Pair from UWP attends Confucius Institute Conference
PLATTEVILLE - David Van Buren, associate vice chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, and Marian Maciej-Hiner, director of Continuing Education, recently attended the Second annual Confucius Institute Conference in Beijing, China.
Over 1,100 attendees gathered at China's Great Hall of the People, at the edge of Tiananmen Square for the opening ceremony of the conference. People in attendance included members of the United Nations from almost every continent in the world.
After being treated to a banquet, attendees moved to the Exhibition Hall where they looked at displays of different activities and events from Confucius Institutes around the world.
Van Buren and Maciej-Hiner also attended a director's workshop. Here they were able to discuss some of their own experiences of developing a Confucius Institute, as well as networking with other colleges and people who are engaged in the same process.
UWP signed an agreement with The Office of Chinese Language Council International to establish a Confucius Institute on campus. These institutes number around 200 worldwide and are "committed to making the Chinese language and culture teaching resources and services available to the world, meeting the demands of overseas Chinese learners to the utmost, to contributing to the formation of a world of cultural diversity and harmony."
When asked about the importance of this Institute, Van Buren said, "This Institute will allow UWP to offer workshops in Chinese language and culture to people in the community, school and businesses. It will provide background information for the government, individuals and corporations across Wisconsin."
Anyone interested in more information about the Confucius Institute may contact Barb Daus, special assistant to the chancellor, at 608.342.1282 or daus@uwplatt.edu.
Contact: David Van Buren, Associate Vice Chancellor, (608) 342-1262, vanburen@uwplatt.edu; Marian Maciej-Hiner, Director of Continuing Education, (608) 342-1302, maciejhm@uwplatt.edu Prepared by: Nicole Eggebeen, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, eggebeen@uwplatt.edu
<< Home