On the morning of July 15, TYUT and a delegation from the Mona Campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI) in Jamaica led by its Principal Dale Webber, held a working conference and contract renewal ceremony on the joint construction of the Confucius Institute. President Huang Qingxue and the heads of the International Cooperation Division and College of International Education Exchange attended the meeting, and Vice President Liang Weiguo hosted the meeting.
Huang Qingxue delivered a speech first. He pointed out that the cooperation between TYUT and UWI had lasted for ten years. The Confucius Institute jointly constructed by the two sides was unveiled by General Secretary Xi Jinping, which is of great significance. The two sides should therefore see to it that the Confucius Institute is well constructed and developed. As for the Chinese teachers and director dispatched to the Confucius Institute, TYUT remains committed to select outstanding candidates. The Confucius Institute will not only help more and more young Jamaicans learn Chinese and the Chinese culture, but also serve as the bridge of communication between the two universities. With this bridge, the cooperation between the two sides will become more and more extensive.
Webber stated that China’s influence in Jamaica is very great today. The Confucius Institute provides an excellent platform and opportunity for the Jamaican people to understand China and the promotion of the language and cultural exchanges between the two countries. He thanked TYUT for its generous support and active cooperation, and the Chinese and foreign directors of the Confucius Institute for their continued efforts. And he vowed to lend support to the development of the Confucius Institute and the exchanges and cooperation with TYUT in the same way.
Afterwards, Huang Qingxue and Webber signed the contract to extend their cooperation on the construction of the Confucius Institute. After the signing ceremony, the two sides discussed and agreed on the members of the Confucius Institute Council; and exchanged their views on the celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Confucius Institute, the inauguration ceremony of the new Confucius Institute building, and the joint conference of Confucius Institutes in the Caribbean region, and reached corresponding agreements.
On the morning of July 16, Webber and Dr. Courtney Hogarth, the Jamaican Director of the Confucius Institute, visited the College of Art of TYUT and had a discussion with its teachers and students.
The head of the College of Art introduced the art programs and disciplines of TYUT to Webber and his delegation; and showed them around the ancient books and cultural relics restoration studio and ceramic art workshop, introducing the reproduction technology of Han portrait bricks and the process of restoring the writing scriptures in Tang Dynasty, the ancient books in Song and Ming Dynasties and the calligraphy and painting in Qing Dynasty as well as the art of making potteries etc. At last, the delegation arrived at the Chinese painting creation room of the Fine Arts Department. Members of the delegation collaborated with teachers and students in the creation room to improvise on a Chinese painting, which was named the “Joy of Mystic Trance”. The picture was presented as a special gift to Webber and UWI.
Weber said that he was very impressed by watching the creation of the Chinese painting and very happy to receive the gift, a symbol of the solid and deep friendship between TYUT and UWI. And he also invited TYUT to send delegations to Jamaica for more art and cultural exchanges.
After the visit, the two parties took a group photo.
