QUT’s Confucius Institute recognised for excellence

A generation of Queensland school children will be more empathetic and better equipped for the workforce because of a QUT Chinese language program.

QUT's Confucius Institute (CIQ), dedicated to the development of Chinese Language teaching and learning, has been recognised for the third consecutive year for excellence thanks to a program bridging a gap between the state's schools and China.

Chair of CIQ's Advisory Board and QUT's Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International and Development) Professor Scott Sheppard, was awarded for his professional commitment and service to Chinese language at a ceremony December 16, which was broadcast on Chinese national Television. The award also recognizes the work of the CIQ team since its establishment in mid 2009 in delivering the Institute's vision.

CIQ, one of only a handful of 400 Confucius Institutes world-wide to receive the accolade three consecutive years (2010, 2011 and 2012), has successfully set up five Confucius Classrooms in high schools in Townsville, Brisbane, Fraser Coast, Redlands Bay and the Gold Coast.

CIQ director Chris Meakin said the award reflected the Institute's success supporting and promoting the teaching of Chinese in Queensland Schools.

"It is a great honour to be awarded three years in a row," he said.

"The teaching profession will play a major, if not critical role, in achieving the goals set out in the recent report Australia in the Asian Century.

"Empathy for other cultures and peoples, which is gained by learning a language such as Chinese, will become increasingly important in a wide range of careers."

Mr Meakin said CIQ's vision in delivering resources to aid the teaching of Chinese in schools was underpinned by partnerships with peak bodies and education authorities in Queensland, and engagement with schools.

Media contact: Alita Pashley, QUT media officer, (07) 3138 1841 or alita.pashley@qut.edu.au

QUT's Confucius Institute director Christopher Meakin