ҹɫÊÓƵ

7 December 2015

ҹɫÊÓƵ’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Peter Høj, has received a prestigious award in recognition of his contribution to the global Confucius Institute Network.

Chinese Vice-Premier and Council of Confucius Institute Headquarters Chair Madam Liu Yandong, presented the award on 6 December at the Confucius Institute’s Global Conference in Shanghai.

The 2015 Outstanding Individual of the Year Award is from the Confucius Institute headquarters, known as Hanban. 

Hanban is responsible for about 470 Confucius Institutes and 1000 Confucius classrooms that promote understanding of Chinese language and culture around the world. .

The award recognises Professor Høj for his active approach to integrating the ҹɫÊÓƵ Confucius Institute into the University and the local community, and for his contribution, guidance and support to the ҹɫÊÓƵ Confucius Institute and the Confucius Institute global network.

The ҹɫÊÓƵ Confucius Institute, formally established in 2009 in partnership with Hanban and Tianjin University, has thousands of students, and links with school students through Confucius classrooms in Brisbane and regional Queensland.

Professor Høj is one of 16 senior consultants to Hanban. He represents Oceania. 

He said he was extremely honoured to receive the 2015 Outstanding Individual of the Year Award, stressing that the achievements of the ҹɫÊÓƵ Confucius Institute were not due to an individual, but to many people.

“Teams of students and staff at ҹɫÊÓƵ contribute to the success of the Confucius Institute, and we are seeing growing interest and enthusiasm from the community, business and the public sector,” Professor Hoj said.

“As a Senior Consultant since 2013, I have been very impressed by how receptive Hanban is to the ideas and strategies we are developing at ҹɫÊÓƵ.

“It shows genuine interest in a two-way conversation, which is a good sign for the future of the network and its capacity to enhance intercultural understanding and global co-operation.”

Professor Høj said the ҹɫÊÓƵ Confucius Institute had presented valuable opportunities to deepen ҹɫÊÓƵ’s relationship with Tianjin University.

This was highlighted by the recent signing of a series of agreements with Tianjin University Administrative Council Chairman Professor Liu Jianping.

The ҹɫÊÓƵ Confucius Institute aligns with teaching and research objectives in the field of Chinese studies at ҹɫÊÓƵ, and promotes cultural and language exchange.

It celebrated its fifth anniversary in November 2015 at a reception attended by senior ҹɫÊÓƵ staff and community representatives.

Hanban Chief Executive and Director General Madam Xu Lin sent a congratulatory message to all who had contributed to the development of the ҹɫÊÓƵ Confucius Institute and the friendship between Australia and China.

 

Media: ҹɫÊÓƵ Communications, communications@uq.edu.au, 07 3365 1120