10th Nov. 2006
CONFUCIUS
For the first time, Confucius arrives in Arabic world
On Nov. 10th, 2006, a signature ceremony was held in University of Saint Joseph between USJ and Hanban (the China Office of the Chinese Language Council International). Professor René Chamussy sj. President of Saint Joseph University and Her Excellency Mrs. Liu Xianghua the Chinese Ambassador Lebanon signed the agreement for jointly setting up Confucius Institute at USJ. Confucius, for the first time, arrives in Arabic world.
Confucius is one of the most famous thinker, educator and philosopher in the Chinese as well as the whole world history. He revolutionized education in China 2,500 years ago by making it accessible to commoners. And now he found his site in Lebanon to spread wisdom in Arabic world. Figures from the Ministry of Education in China show that more than 30 million people are learning Chinese worldwide, and the number is on the rise. In Lebanon, the growing zest for Chinese language will be satisfied by Confucius Institute at USJ.
Being one part of the Chinese government’s Confucius Institute project worldwide, Confucius Institute at USJ is a non-profit institution which dedicates to promote Chinese language and culture.
The Confucius Institute at USJ will serve communities, businesses, schools, government, nonprofit organizations and the media throughout Lebanon and Arabic world by offering Chinese language, Chinese medicine, Chinese politics & economics, Chinese martial art and Chinese cuisine instruction, providing a professional development for Chinese language teachers, certifying instructors, conducting Chinese language examinations, organizing economic and political lectures and providing consultancy services on Chinese culture, the economy and society. "USJ is the first university in Lebanon to establish direct exchange programs in China," said Professor René Chamussy sj., the President of USJ. "This will give this country and region a competitive advantage now as China is emerging as a leading economic force in the world."
USJ, which enrolls more than 10,000 students from Lebanon and other Arabic Countries, was selected as a site because of "its historic education commitment and its extensive outreach programs related to East Asia," said Her Excellency Mrs. Liu Xianghua, the Chinese Ambassador in Lebanon, "Meanwhile, Confucius Institute's public programs in Chinese language, culture and business practices will help USJ and Lebanon master the challenges and opportunities of our increasingly integrated world." Under the patronage of His Excellency, Mr. Tarek Mitri, Minister of Culture in Lebanon, another four dignitaries from Chinese Embassy in Lebanon, the Vice Presidents of USJ, The General Secretary, several Deans and Directors of other Institutions of USJ, and media attended the signature ceremony.
Participants List
Of Signature Ceremony of Confucius Institute – Saint Joseph University
Lebanese Government N° 1 USJ N° 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 China 1 2 3 4 5 6 Mrs. Mrs. Mr. Mr. Mr. Mrs. Liu Xianghua Yang Peipei Li Kunxian Wan Ting Pan Liwen Wang Xin TITLE Rector Fr. Pr. Pr. Mr. Dr. Mr. Mr. Mrs. Mr. Mrs. Mr. Mr. Ms. Mr. Mrs. NAME René Chamussy sj. Bruno Sion sj. Antoine Hokayem Mounir Chaamoun Maroun Asmar Ahyaf Sinno Henri Awit Jarjoura Hardane Dolla Sarkis Henri Awaiss Fadia Kiwan Philippe Fattal Pierre Filfili Cynthia-Maria Ghobril Henri Genaud Eliana Ibrahim TITLE Mr. NAME Tarek Mitri
Under the patronage of POSITION Minister of Culture
POSITION President of USJ Vice-President Vice-President for International Relations Vice-President for Research Vice-President for Development Vice-President for Arabic & Islamic studies General Secretary Dean of Human Sciences Dean of Faculty of Pharmacy Director of Language Center Director of Political Sciences Director of Technology Institute Director of Psychotherapy Institute Director of Communication International Relations Delegate Coordinator of Confucius Institute
Chinese Embassador Commercial Counselor Third Secretary, Chinese Embassy Third Secretary, Chinese Embassy Chief Correspondent, Xinhua News Agency Beirut Bureau Reporter, Xinhua News Agency Beirut Bureau