|
 | USP Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Rajesh Chandra, launched the Chinese programme which will be aired on USP's radio station, Radio Pasifik every Tuesday and Thursday |
|
The Confucius Institute based at the University of the South Pacific Laucala Campus, held its first Open Day today, which coincided with the launch of the first Chinese programme to air on the University’s radio station, Radio Pasifik.
The Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Law and Education (FALE) Dr Akanisi Kedrayate, said that the first open day was an opportunity to enable the University community to truly appreciate what USP is offering.
The Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Rajesh Chandra, in his address, thanked the co-directors, “for taking the institute from an idea to where it is today”.
He said that there is a need for Pacific countries and students to get to know China much better, considering that China is a major investor and the Confucius Institute has helped in that endeavour.
“There is no question in my mind that Pacific Island countries will need to be able to both understand Chinese culture and Chinese imperatives in global development and then be able to engage with China properly,” he said.
“For that reason, I genuinely believe, that the University needs to expand its operations to understand the rich Chinese culture, and to also understand the Chinese model of development,” he added.
He said that the current stage at which the Confucius institute is just the initial step, and that the University will strive to go beyond that.
He also talked about the various cutting-edge technologies which were showcased at the Open Day, such as the electronic board which includes sound and story, and how such technology could help in improving learning and teaching at the University.
“In the Strategic plan, we have said that the University should be in the top league of universities in the new pedagogy using Information Communication Technology. So when I saw that at first, one interest I had was if we could absorb that technology and then be able to put our own materials in other areas of learning and teaching using the same kind of technology,” Professor Chandra said.
“The moment for us is to celebrate what has been achieved, it is also an occasion to engage other people who are not aware to get engaged to the Confucius institute.”
The Confucius Institute is a joint initiative of Hangbang which is the Confucius HQ in Beijing and USP and the Beijing University of Post and Telecommunications (BUPT), one of the top universities in China.
Co-director of the Confucius Institute, Sin Joan Yee, said the institute aspires to have the Chinese course offered as majors and minors and have online courses as well.
The Chinese courses taught at the institute include lessons on calligraphy, paper-cutting, as well as dancing, singing, celebrating Chinese festivals, and watching Chinese movies.
Radio Pasifik manager, Semi Francis, said the radio station has come a long way, and has extended its reach from the Suva-Nausori corridor to Pacific Harbour, and will therefore not only be attracting the students of USP but also promoting the Confucius Institute, and the Chinese culture and language to a wider audience.
|
