UD’s Confucius Institute was established in the fall of 2019 as a result of the cultural and educational cooperation between the University of Debrecen (UD) and Tianjin Foreign Studies University (TFSU). The worldwide network of Confucius Institutes was created by the People's Republic of China to promote and disseminate Chinese language and culture as well as to develop cultural relations and exchanges. At present, there are more than 500 such institutes worldwide, while the one in Debrecen was the fifth to be formed in Hungary. Its chief activity includes the teaching of Mandarin Chinese language and culture as well as organizing cultural events, offering series of lectures, hosting film screenings and arranging celebrations of traditional holidays for students, teachers and local residents.
Due to the efforts of native Chinese and Hungarian teachers, the University of Debrecen has evolved into a stronghold of Chinese scholarship, focusing on culture, language, history and philosophy, where the quinquennial anniversary on April 1 was celebrated jointly, together with a small delegation of distinguished visitors from China.
The members of this delegation first paid a visit to the Chinese diplomatic mission in Budapest, where they were received by His Excellency Ambassador Gong Tao. The second leg of the official program included a negotiation with Magyar Könyvtárosok Egyesülete [Association of Hungarian Librarians], at the end of which a Sino-Hungarian agreement was signed on future cooperation. The agreement focuses on exchanges of teachers and researchers between the two countries, on further strengthening the cause of language teaching, and on opportunities for Chinese study visits to promote language learning for teachers of the Confucius Institutes of the University of Debrecen and other institutions of higher education in Hungary.
Upon arriving in Debrecen, the guests from Tianjin were first welcomed by István Puskás, Deputy Mayor of Debrecen responsible for cultural affairs.
Prior to the ceremony proper, the delegation led by Zhou Honglei, Party Secretary of Tianjin Foreign Studies University, was officially received by Zoltán Szilvássy, Rector of UD, and Okszána Kiszil, Director of the Coordination Office of the Rector’s and Chancellor's Cabinet of the Coordination and Strategic Directorate of UD, in the Rector's Council Room of the Main Building, where the participants jointly assessed the achievements of our Confucius Institute during the years since its establishment and mutually assured each other of their staunch and uninterrupted support and cooperation.
“For almost 500 years, ever since the beginning of higher education in Debrecen, the cooperation between the representatives of our city, the local church, educational institutions and the local industries has been important. After the past half-century, this four-pillar innovation structure has been further strengthened, with the addition of foreign companies. The Confucius Institute, which was established five years ago at the University of Debrecen, also joined this system. In addition to teaching and cultivating Chinese language and culture, our CI is actively involved in the life of Debrecen and the industrial companies operating here, especially our Chinese partners, including CATL, EVE Power and Semcorp,” said Zoltán Szilvássy at the opening ceremony of the celebration in the venue Karácsony Sándor terem of the Main Building.
Okszána Kiszil outlined the history and development of our institution dating back to 1538, highlighting that the University of Debrecen is one of the largest institutions of higher education in Hungary today, with as many as 13 faculties, 25 doctoral schools, and 40,000 students. Almost 8,000 international students of the current student body come to Debrecen from 130 different countries, including China. At present, the latter is represented by 418 students enrolled at UD’s faculties.
“Last year marked the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Hungary, while bilateral relations reached a historic high point thanks to the visit of President Xi Jinping. During the past couple of years, educational, economic and trade cooperation has been steadily increasing, and the demand for Chinese-speaking professionals is still growing,” said the First Counsellor of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Budapest in his welcome speech.
Counsellor Han Dongshen pointed out that language is not just a means of communication but also a vehicle of culture and a bridge for dialogue and exchange between civilizations. Thus, the Confucius Institute of the University of Debrecen is a channel of key importance for prompting and promoting dialogue and mutual learning.
As of its foundation in November 2019, the CI has been continuously developing its educational system, launching language-specific, cultural and thematic lecture series. So far, it has had more than 3,500 registered students.
“By now, the Confucius Institute has become an important Chinese language-teaching center and cultural exchange platform in the city of Debrecen and even in Hungary. Throughout the years of their long-term cooperation, the leaders of the two universities have made several reciprocal visits, thereby forming a fraternal friendship that perfectly embodies the Confucian principles of common discussion, common construction and common benefit," said Zhou Honglei in her speech.
In addition to listing the impressive achievements in the field of teaching, the Party Secretary of Tianjin Foreign Studies University also reported on the close cooperation between the CI and the municipal government, Magyar-Kínai Baráti Társaság [Hungarian-Chinese Friendship Association], Budapesti Kínai Kulturális Központ [Budapest China Cultural Center] and CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited). Among other events to note within this cooperation, she mentioned the successful Autumn Festivals, the Petőfi Literature Exhibition, the World Chinese Language Day, the Chinese Bridge Symposium and the recent Chinese Lantern Festival.
It was the latter that first featured the dancing trio called Táncoló tündérek [Dancing Fairies], Hungarian students from UD, who exhibited their expert Chinese dance skills in front of the Karácsony Sándor terem audience as well.
CSAD (Chinese Students Association Debrecen) contributed to the anniversary with a surprise production, a short video about the students' everyday life, while the Multimedia and E-learning Technical Centre of our institution presented a video compilation showcasing the institute's first five years.
Following the official part of the ceremony, the Chinese visitors had a chance to meet with and consult their compatriots studying at the University of Debrecen.
The Confucius Institute of the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Debrecen also marked the anniversary by issuing a commemorative publication.
Press Centre - BZs
