This year has seen the CI continue to deliver on its promise to offer a comprehensive range of educational and cross-cultural experiences for students and staff here at UQ, as well as the community. Here are some more highlights from the second half of 2011.
33 UQ Students Experience University in Tianjin
Over the mid-year holidays, 33 UQ students travelled to Tianjin, China as part of a research internship study tour. The study tour was organised by the UQ Confucius Institute in cooperation with its partner university in China, Tianjin University, and with the support of the Faculties of EAIT, Science, Arts and the Office of Undergraduate Education.
During the tour the UQ students attended classes in Chinese language and culture offered by TU, engaged in lab internships under the supervision of TU professors, and participated in other cultural activities. They had opportunities to visit the Great Wall, Tianjin Planning Exhibition Hall, the Eco City, Tianjin Museum, and Binhai New Area. Students reported that these activities helped give them a better understanding of the history, culture, and economic development of Tianjin, as well as China.
High School Teacher Joins Tianjin Study Tour
As a part of this year's study tour to Tianjin, David Lau, a teacher from Indooroopilly State High School, was invited along to gain an insight into the Chinese education system and pedagogical practices. David spent a portion of the tour visiting some of the high schools in the Tianjin area such as Nankai Middle School and 42 Middle School. He met with many different teachers teaching in the areas of maths, technology and design, computer studies and physics.
Outside of visiting schools in Tianjin, David was also involved in the social activities with UQ and Tianjin University students such as calligraphy, kung fu, karaoke, shopping and scenic tours.
High school teachers are welcome to apply to be involved in this program as a part of the annual study tour to Tianjin. The one month study tour is held between June and July each year. No experience with China or Chinese is required. For more information please contact the Confucius Institute at UQ.
Brooke Eason awarded 6 month scholarship for competing in the 'Chinese Bridge' Competition Finals
UQ student Brook Eason was awarded a 6 month scholarship to continue her studies in China for her performance in the 2011 international Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition held in China.
Brooke is currently continuing her study of Chinese at Heilongjiang University in Northeast China.
If you are interested in applying for this scholarship next year, please visit out website or contact us in March/April next year. Students who have previously sat the HSK Chinese Proficiency Test and have participated in the Chinese Bridge competition are encouraged to apply.
Jessica Nikles Observes the 'Chinese Bridge' Competition Finals
Jessica Nikles from LCCS at UQ was awarded a 10-day trip to China to spectate the finals of the Chinese Bridge Competition for her excellent performance in this year's Queensland Preliminaries for the 'Chinese Bridge' Chinese Proficiency Competition. She reported to us by saying that:
The 汉语桥 (Chinese Bridge Competition) observation 2011 was such an amazing trip. I went expecting to sit in a Chinese TV station for days and be part of the studio audience for this international version of the 汉语桥. Even though a free 10 day trip sounded like a sweet deal, I was a little worried about how much of China we would actually get to see and experience. But this trip totally exceeded my expectations in every way. I got to be part of a group of 100 students from 65 different nations, where sometimes the Chinese language was truly our only "bridge," or point of connection.
CI Sponsors the 2011 Workshop on Advanced Science, Technology and Industry Alliance
This year the Confucius Institute sponsored the 2011 Workshop on Advanced Science, Technology and Industry Alliance. This workshop aims to promote and strengthen more fruitful collaboration between scientists and engineers in various disciplines through mutual communication. It also aims to further enhance the ability of researchers to successfully obtain State and Commonwealth research grants and to establish links between R&D outcomes at research institutes and industries in QLD to create commercialisation opportunities.
Professor Ling Li, deputy director of the Confucius Institute, was one of the keynote speakers during the workshop. He introduced the Confucius Institute at the University of Queensland and talked about the work being done to collaborate between Australia and China in science and technology.
UQ Lecturers off to Tianjin on CI Research Fellowship
Dr. Mahmud Ashraf from the School of Civil Engineering and Dr. Alex Chen from the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering have been awarded CI fellowships to perform joint research projects at Tianjin University, China. The two visiting fellows will work on a research project in collaboration with research staff at TU in their field. We wish them success in their research and look forward to their report on their activities and findings.
The Confucius Institute at The University of Queensland, as part of its focus on science, engineering and technology (SET), will be offering this fellowship every year. The CI will provide support to staff members from EAIT who are successful in obtaining a short-term (1-3 months) visit to Tianjin University. The visiting fellowship also covers the international airfare between Brisbane and China, and contributes towards living expenses in China.
CI Teaching Local Businesses to Engage with China
This year the Confucius Institute began offering a new course entitled Chinese for Business and Legal Purposes to local Australian businesses. The course involves studying, composing and translating documents commonly found in legal business and communication. This includes business letters, order forms, legal contracts, and trade agreements.
The Confucius Institute will continue offering this course in 2012, if you are interested please contact us for further information.
CI Welcomes Two CSC Students from China
This year two students successfully received China Scholarship Council (CSC) scholarships to study at UQ. The two students from UQ’s partner university, Tianjin University have begun studying PhDs in the schools of Engineering and Science.The Confucius Institute welcomes these two students and wishes them success in their studies at UQ.
The CI is responsible for assisting students from our partner university in China apply for scholarships at UQ. The CI serves as the coordinating body for applications from TU students, facilitating the liaison between TU students and potential UQ supervisors, and assisting and streamlining TU students’ application process at UQ.
CI Welcomes New Associate Fellow Geoff Wang
In the second half of this year, the CI welcomed a new associate fellow, UQ's Associate Professor Geoff Wang. Geoff Wang is currently the Deputy Director of the Baosteel-Australia Joint Research and Development Center. Before joining the University of Queensland in 1996, Geoff Wang was a visiting Professor at the School of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of New South Wales in 1995. He has significantly contributed to the research area of chemical and metallurgical science and engineering, energy and environmental technologies, including coal utilization, ironmaking technology development, coalbed methane development, and carbon dioxide capture and sequestration.
HSK Test held at UQ by the Confucius Institute
The CI hosted its second HSK exam session for 2011 on Saturday 3rd September 2011. Over 20 students took part in the HSK Writing exam ranging from level 3 to level 6. The CI also offered several HSK preparation courses tailored to each different level. These courses received positive reviews from students.
The next HSK exam will be held early next year and will consist of both the HSK Speaking and the HSK Writing exam.
Youth Chinese Test Held for the First Time by CI UQ
The Confucius Institute held the Youth Chinese Test (YCT) for the first time at UQ on Saturday 27 August. Approximately 20 children between ages 6 and 17 from Brisbane's primary and secondary schools participated in four levels of the YCT.
It was a pleasure to offer the YCT this year and we look forward to offering it again next year.
CI and ICTE Course on Translating and Interpreting Receives Excellent Reviews
The Confucius Institute held a four-week course called English for Specific Purposes: Translation & Interpreting in collaboration with ICTE at UQ in July. This new program was designed to offer native Chinese speakers a chance to develop their English language skills for professional purposes as well as develop the key skills and techniques required to translate and interpret effectively between Chinese and English.
The course received excellent feedback from students who all said that they would recommend this program to other students. The students particularly enjoyed the teachers of the course, working with Australian students, and learning and practicing techniques in translation and interpreting.
This program will be offered again in Janurary and July 2012.
CI and LCCS Course on Translation and Interpreting for Science, Engineering and Technology
A course on Translation and Interpreting for Science, Engineering and Technology was offered by the School of Languages and Comparative Cultural Studies with the support of the Confucius Institute. The course was held between July and October and taught students to not only analyse features of scientific and technical articles from the linguistic perspective, but also assess and rectify translations from the viewpoint of science and technology.
The course will continue to be taught and is one of several courses available to both students and members of the community.
Dan Van from ISHS Wins Confucius Institute Award for Year 12 Chinese
In October, the Confucius Institute was given the honour of presenting prizes to language students from Indooroopilly State High School. A special award from the Confucius Institute for excellence in Year 12 Chinese was handed out to students in the 58th Annual Awards Ceremony. Dr. Lucy Li represented the Confucius Institute at the presentation and presented the students with their awards.
The University of Queensland Confucius Institute Award for Year 12 Chinese was awarded to Dan Van.
Congratulations Dan! We wish you all the best in your future Chinese studies.
CI Receives Several Delegations from China
A delegation from Henan Polytechnic University (HPU) in China visited the Confucius Institute on the 8th of November. The delegation, led by Vice President Professor Zhang visited the CI to discuss the possibility of collaborating to develop a training program on continuing education for administrative and management staff. The CI looks forward to working closely with HPU in the future and believes that this is the start of a fruitful relationship.
This year, the CI also received delegations from educational institutions including Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Hebei University of Technology and Xihua University.
CI Board Meeting held on 15th November 2011
The CI held their second board meeting for 2011 on 15th November 2011. The board members from both Tianjin University and UQ met in the University of Queensland and the CI Director, Prof. Ping Chen gave a final year report on the events and activities organised by the Confucius Institute at UQ this year.
CI co-sponsored the Australia-China Symposium on Medical Device Manufacturing
The CI co-sponsored the Australia-China Symposium on Medical Device Manufacturing which was held from 25–26 October 2011.
This bilateral symposium between Australia and China was last hosted in Xian, China, in October 2010 and attracted participants from universities, research organisations, and industry from both countries. This year the symposium covered several topics including biomaterials research and development, device manufacturing technologies, and marketing, regulation, and supply chain development.
CI Co-Hosts International Conference on Translation and Cross-Cultural Communication
An international conference on translation and cross-cultural communication was co-hosted by the Confucius Institute and the School of Languages and Comparative Cultural Studies at The University of Queensland in December 2011.
The conference featured many guest speakers from around the world and included many lecturers from UQ talking about their current research topics. It addressed both translation/interpreting and cross-cultural communication studies in general and between English and Chinese in particular. The conference also included a discussion forum regarding relevent issues that present translators and interpreters today.
Executive Director of Shandong Jinhui Group visited the Confucius Institute
Ms LIU Wei, Executive Director of Shandong Jinhui Group Co. accompanied by Vivian Fung, Chair of the Sino-Australian Culture Association and CI Associate Fellow, visited the Confucius Institute on Tuesday 9 August. Shandong Jinhui Group is one of the leading steel manufacturers in China. During their visit, Ms Liu expressed her interest in the CI’s activities and an intention to promote cultural exchange and collaboration between The University of Queensland and Shandong Jinhui Group in cultural and educational activities, and in joint projects in research and development.
In December, the Confucius Institute was again visited by a delegation from Shandong Jinhui Group Co. Ms Liu Wei, Executive Director of Shandong Jinhui Group, and Ms Vivian Fung, Chair of Sino-Australian Culture Association agreed to make a donation to the Confucius Institute to show their support for its programs and activities aiming at the promotion of Chinese language and culture in UQ and the broader Queensland community, and exchange between UQ and China.
The Confucius Institute thanks Ms Liu Wei of Shandong Jinhui Group and Ms Vivian Fung of Sino-Australia Culture Association for their generous donation.
CI Hosts Rhythm of South of the Yangtze River
The Confucius Institute hosted a cultural performance given by the Jiangsu Art Troupe from China. The troupe gave a performance entitled Rhythm of South of the Yangtze River.
The one hour performance was a delightful combination of China’s vast culture. It featured several dances including a paper cutting dance and an energetic dance entitled “A love story from Kangting”. It also included a solo of a song written in the traditional dialect of Jiangsu province as well as the traditional Australian song “Click go the shears” with a Chinese twist. The performance featured several songs performed by a musical ensemble made up of traditional Chinese instruments such as the Erhu, pipa and Chinese flute as well as a martial arts display of kungfu and traditional weaponry. The highlight for many of the spectators was a performance consisting of three dancers dancing to music played by traditional instruments while the director of the art troupe created a piece of Chinese calligraphy which was then presented to Prof. Nancy Wright and Prof. Ping Chen.
Over 300 people, including staff and students from UQ and people from the broader community, watched the performance.