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Last Updated: Dec 29, 2011 - 2:18:31 AM |
From left to right: Dr. Irene Moss, Dean Wang Suchun,
Dr. Chipman-Johnson, Ambassador Hu, President Li
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Nassau, Bahamas -The College of The Bahamas hosted a
Chinese delegation from its sister institution the Nanjing University
of Information Science & Technology (NUIST), which partnered with
The College in its bid to obtain a Confucius Classroom.
The Confucius Institute is a non-profit organization under the Chinese
Ministry of Education for the dissemination of Chinese language and
culture. The Confucius Classroom is designed to be an intermediate
phase before the establishment of a full-fledged Confucius Institute.
"As an institution of higher learning, The College of The Bahamas
fosters a tradition of excellence through education, research and
innovation and service. It is through these partnerships, that we are
able to expose our students, faculty, staff and the community to new
languages, arts and culture. The Confucius Classroom is a great
beginning as we move towards having a full-fledged Confucius Institute
in years to come," said Executive Vice President, Dr. Rhonda
Chipman-Johnson on behalf of College President Ms. Janyne M. Hodder.
President Li Lianshui of NUIST was accompanied by Professor Wang
Suchun, the Dean of the School of International Education and Professor
Li Zhongming, the Dean of the School of Language and Culture. After an
official unveiling ceremony attended by Chinese Ambassador Hu Dingxian
and representatives of various government departments and members of
The College administration, the Implementation Agreement for the
Confucius Classroom was signed. President Li and Dr. Chipman-Johnson
signed for their respective institutions.
The International Languages and Cultures Institute at The College of
The Bahamas headed by Dr. Chipman-Johnson and under the directorship of
Dr. Irene Moss, has been offering a Mandarin program for two years. Dr.
Moss has also been named the Director of the newly established
Confucius Classroom.
It is estimated that 30 million people worldwide are learning to speak
Chinese. The establishment of the Confucius Classroom strengthens The
College's mission to drive national development through research,
education, innovation and service. In years to come The College will
join the ranks of the University of Havana in Cuba and the University
of the West Indies in Jamaica both with established Confucius
Institutes.
In a continuing spirit of collaboration and friendship, Dr.
Chipman-Johnson and Dr. Moss have been invited to participate in the
Confucius Institute Conference in Beijing this December, which will
host representatives from 400 Confucius Institutes and Classrooms
worldwide.
The College of The Bahamas, in its philosophy of outreach to the wider
community, is pleased to be able to offer Bahamians this opportunity to
learn more about Chinese language and culture.
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