[212] MTSU Approved for Prestigious Confucius Institute

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 25, 2009

EDITORIAL CONTACTS: Dr. Guanping Zheng, associate professor, 615-904-8365
Dr. Diane Miller, interim executive vice president and provost, 615-898-2880

MTSU APPROVED FOR PRESTIGIOUS CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE
University to Host Ceremonial Signing During Visit by Chinese Guests

(MURFREESBORO)—After a highly competitive selection process, Middle Tennessee State University has joined the ranks of a distinguished group of American institutions of higher learning approved to host a Confucius Institute on its campus.

In recognition of this significant achievement, MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee will host a ceremonial signing of the Confucius Institute agreement with representatives from its Chinese partner institution, Hangzhou Normal University in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, on Tuesday, Dec. 1, at 10 a.m. in Room 106 of MTSU’s Peck Hall.

“We are honored to have been selected to host this prestigious institute on our campus,” McPhee said. “MTSU has a strong commitment to international education, and we have been particularly enriched by our connections to the people, culture and universities of China.

“We look forward to strengthening our existing friendships and academic partnerships in China as well as to playing a significant role in the overall growth and development of relations between China and the United States through the Confucius Institute at Middle Tennessee State University.”

Dr. Diane Miller, interim executive vice president and provost, who was instrumental in the development of MTSU’s proposal for the Confucius Institute, will be among those who will join McPhee in greeting the Chinese delegation, which will be on the Murfreesboro campus from Nov. 30 through Dec. 2.

During their three-day visit, HNU officials will have an opportunity to view the site where the institute, also known as CIMTSU, will be housed and further discuss plans for its development and grand opening.

Members of the visiting delegation will include HNU President and Professor Ye Gaoxiang; Yin Qiping, dean of the School of Foreign Language; Tang Shiming, vice director of the International Cooperation and Exchange Division; Yang Xiaohong, a professor in the School of Foreign Language and dean of the Confucius Institute at MTSU (sent by HNU); Chen Zhenhong, vice director of the Planning and Financial Department; and He Lijun, vice dean for the School of Materials and Chemistry.

Dr. Guanping Zheng, associate professor in the Department of Electronic Media Communication in MTSU’s College of Mass Communication, will serve as director of the institute for MTSU. According to its agreement with the Confucius Institute headquarters, MTSU will share management of the institute with HNU. The two universities will work together to formulate and amend policies and regulations for CIMTSU; oversee activities related to teaching, research, scholarship and fundraising; and supervise the general fiscal operations of the institute.

As part of its outlined services, the CIMTSU will:

• develop Chinese language and cultural classes;
• provide Chinese language teaching resources;
• train teachers to teach Chinese as a foreign language;
• offer a Chinese Proficiency Test and certification of Chinese language teachers;
• provide China-related library resources;
• promote research about contemporary China; and
• provide services and consultation to Middle Tennessee and the state on matters related to Chinese culture and language.

Founded in 2004, the Confucius Institute is a nonprofit organization established to strengthen educational cooperation between China and other countries. The aprograms supported by the institute are designed to enhance the understanding of Chinese language and culture, deepen friendly relations between China and other nations and promote the development of multiculturalism and global harmony.

According to the organization’s Web site, as of October 2009, 282 Confucius Institutes and 241 Confucius Classrooms have been established in 87 countries and regions around the world. Only 80 of the Confucius Institutes established worldwide are hosted by institutions in the United States.

MTSU is making plans to host the grand opening of its institute in spring 2010.

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With three Nobel Prize winners among its alumni and former faculty, MTSU confers master’s degrees in 10 areas, the Specialist in Education degree, the Doctor of Arts degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree. MTSU is ranked among the top 100 public universities in the nation in the Forbes “America’s Best Colleges” 2009 survey.
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IN BRIEF: Middle Tennessee State University has joined the ranks of a distinguished group of American institutions of higher learning approved to host a Confucius Institute on its campus. MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee will host a ceremonial signing of the Confucius Institute agreement with representatives from its Chinese partner institution, Hangzhou Normal University in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, on Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 10 a.m. in Room 106 of MTSU’s Peck Hall.

For MTSU news and information, visit www.mtsunews.com.

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ATTENTION, MEDIA: To arrange for parking to attend the Dec. 2 signing ceremony, please contact Tom Tozer in the Office of News and Public Affairs via e-mail at ttozer@mtsu.edu or by calling 615-898-2919.

Thanks!