Welcome to the Confucius Institute at the University of Manchester
I am proud to be the Director of one of the first Confucius Institutes in Britain. It is a privilege for The University of Manchester to have an institute which provides us with resources that allow us to promote Chinese language and culture to schools, to the University community and to the general public. China is the crucial nation on the current world stage and it is also a treasure trove of art, history and culture.
The Confucius Institute works with primary and secondary schools, directly through Confucius classrooms and language and cultural workshops, but also indirectly, through our involvement in training teachers of Chinese. We provide Chinese language classes for the public, ranging from the taster sessions to more advanced courses. We organize public lectures on all aspects of Chinese culture, from art to food.
I am particularly proud of our interaction with the local community and our work with cultural institutions; this year’s highlight was the China Space Programme exhibition organized with the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester. Later this year, we will be hosting the International Symposium on Chinese Language Teaching and Learning and contribute to the British Museum touring exhibition Journey to the East – China at Manchester Museum, which is part of The University of Manchester.
Whatever your particular interest in China and Chinese Culture, I am sure that you will be able to find something to suit you. I look forward to meeting you at one of our events.
Professor Kersti Börjars
Director of the Confucius Institute
Head of School of Languages, Linguistics and Cultures