A new focus on China

New initiatives to help build closer partnerships and collaboration across the University with China will be developed in response to plans for greater Internationalisation, according to the University's new Dean for the Centre for Lifelong Learning.

Professor David Boucher, who succeeds Executive Director Dr Richard Evans as the Centre's new Director and Dean, used the recent Chinese Mid Autumn Festival to announce news plans.

In his opening remarks, Professor Boucher announced that the Confucius Institute, whilst continuing to deliver its many external activities, will be developing new initiatives in 2013 to build closer partnerships and collaboration across the University.

Scott Andrews, General Manager of Cardiff Confucius Institute, said: "Once again we were delighted to welcome guests to celebrate this important festival in the Chinese calendar.

"The Confucius Institute continues to act as a beacon for China in Cardiff University and is committed to its ongoing initiatives with partners both from within the University and with those partners across Wales with whom we have developed opportunities to further develop an awareness and understanding of Chinese Language and culture."

Guests were treated to traditional performances from pupils and students before having the chance to take part in Chinese cultural activities and Bo Bing – the Moon Cake Game played at the time of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

The festival was launched by Cardiff University's Pro Vice-Chancellor for International and Engagement, Professor Hywel Thomas who has just returned from a trip to China during which he visited the Confucius Institute's partner university in Xiamen.

He used the opportunity to highlight Cardiff University's commitment to developing its international dimension and the significant role that the Confucius Institute and China played in pursing this strategy.

The Chinese Academic Director, Dr Xueyi Zhu closed the event. Dr Zhu said: "The Mid-Autumn Festival is also called the Moon Festival because the moon is at its fullest, purest, and brightest on this Mid-Autumn day.

"Chinese people always associate the bright and full moon with good things, such as reunion, harmony, fulfilment, togetherness, and wholeness. The festival is very popular and important among Chinese people and the Chinese Government listed the Mid-Autumn festival as an intangible cultural heritage in 2006."