Collaboration a boost for Mandarin and culture

Prof Daing (third from left) exchanging documents with Zhao at the 13th Confucius Institute Conference.

KUANTAN: Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) will establish a Kong Zi Institute soon in collaboration with the Confucius Institute Headquarters (Hanban).

UMP said in a statement that the institute would benefit students and the local community, especially in Pahang.

In working towards the setting up of the institute, UMP vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Seri Dr Daing Nasir Ibrahim exchanged documents with Hanban deputy director Zhao Guocheng during the 13th Confucius Institute Conference in Chengdu, China recently.

“The institute will play an important role in improving fluency in Mandarin and also cultural exchange between the two countries.

“UMP’s good relations with Hebei University since 2011 has also seen 22 Mandarin teachers posted here,” said Dr Daing.

Hebei University had been appointed by Hanban to assist in the setting up of the Kong Zi Institute.

The other higher learning institutions in the country with such an institute were Universiti Malaya and SEGi University.

Also present at the ceremony were Hanban planning division director Prof Wang Yong, Hebei University committee secretary Prof Gui Jian, Hebei University international relations office director Prof Li Xiaoliu and UMP Mandarin languages and culture centre director Yong Ying Mei.