MTSU launches Confucius Institute

Kudos to my alma mater, Middle Tennessee State University, for developing a partnership with Hangzhou Normal University through the Confucius Institute. From the Daily News Journal account:

After a highly competitive selection process, MTSU has joined the ranks of a distinguished group of American institutions of higher learning approved to host a Confucius Institute on its campus…

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.

I believe that this partnership will make MTSU a more competitive institution. As state departments prepare to make further budgetary adjustments, perhaps the fight for resources will become easier for MTSU.

As economic development continues in Chinese special economic zones (because we’re fooling ourselves if we think all of China is economically free), it will become increasingly important for Americans to familiarize themselves with Chinese language and culture.

I remember meeting a delegation from China a couple years ago while tailgating in Walnut Grove. President McPhee brought a group of six or seven representatives to our set-up and introduced us to them.