NMIT to open a Confucius Institute Resource Centre

17 April 2013
Media Release

NMIT to open a Confucius Institute Resource Centre

A new Confucius Institute Resource Centre at Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) will help to facilitate cultural, academic and economic links between Nelson and China, says NMIT Chief Executive Tony Gray.

On 16 April 2013, the Confucius Institute at the University of Canterbury (CIUC) signed an agreement with NMIT to open the CIUC Resource Centre at NMIT’s Nelson Campus. An exhibition of Chinese photographic art representing New Zealand-China relations over the past 40 years was opened to celebrate the signing.

Confucius Institutes (CI) are accredited by the headquarters of the Confucius Institute in Beijing and are situated around the world to promote Chinese culture and mutually beneficial economic relationships. Accreditation to become a CI is a rigorous and often long process. A CI may establish a number of branches -called either Confucius Classrooms in schools or Confucius Institute Resource Centres to reach out into communities. There is just one other Resource Centre in New Zealand at present, at Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology and another is planned for Invercargill. The CIUC Resource Centre at NMIT is planned to be in full operation by the end of 2013.

Tony Gray said NMIT had long and valued relationships with tertiary education providers in China and the CIUC Resource Centre would enhance greater cultural understanding between the two countries. “This will have benefits not only for NMIT’s staff and students, but also for the wider community. It will offer convenient Chinese language and cultural resources to the school and business communities in the Top of the South,” he said.

NMIT’s Applied Business and China Programme Leader Ian Lister said CIUC Resource Centres were places where people interested in ‘all things Chinese’ could gather. “It will be a place where Chinese students can relax and socialise as well as a community focal point for groups such as the Nelson branch of the New Zealand China Friendship Society and business people interested in exploring opportunities in China. It will be used to host cultural workshops, display Chinese arts, writing and works and house a language laboratory to help people learn Mandarin,” he said.

Nelson Economic Development Agency Chief Executive Bill Findlater said the opening of a CIUC Resource Centre at NMIT was great news for Nelson. “The EDA believe there are significant opportunities for the Nelson region in trading with China - already New Zealand’s second largest trading partner. To conduct business in China it is most important to have an understanding of the culture, language and business practice there. The CIUC Resource Centre will help provide that window for us,” he said.

Dr Chu Yan Li Vice Consul General, Chinese Consulate General, Christchurch said she believed the initiative would play an important role in progressing tangible relations between the two countries and their people. “The Chinese Consulate General looks forward to actively supporting and participating in this development over the years to come,” she said.

Dr Adam Lam, Director of the Confucius Institute at University of Canterbury said the agreement was an example of the successful collaboration of resources between the University of Canterbury and NMIT.

“Our collaboration in this resource centre demonstrates our commitment to working together to promote Chinese language learning and understanding of Chinese culture in the Top of the South region. We also jointly support and prepare New Zealand industry, tourism and trade for more success in China-related business areas.”

Christine Ward, President of the Nelson Branch of the New Zealand China Friendship Society said the society was delighted at the increased presence of the Confucius Institute in Nelson.

“We are strongly committed to reinforcing friendship ties with Chinese people, and extending the teaching of Chinese language for young people in our district. This official relationship with NMIT will be most helpful.”

ENDS

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