His Excellency Qi Zhenhong
Ambassador People’s Republic of China to Sri Lanka
It is my great honour to issue this message to celebrate the 5th Anniversary of the establishment of the Confucius Institute of University of Colombo (CIUC).
With the great support of the University of Colombo, Honghe University and Beijing Foreign Studies University of China, CIUC has made a tremendous progress on providing Chinese language course and training opportunities to the local talents since 2016. With the deepening cooperation in various fields between our two countries, there is an increasing demand from the local students and people to learn the Chinese language. I hope that CIUC will continue to strengthen collaboration with various institutes including the Centre for Language Education and Cooperation, China and Chinese International Education Foundation to bring the Chinese language education to a new level.
Both China and Sri Lanka are ancient civilizations with long mutual-learning history. In recent years, under the guidance of our leaders, bilateral relations have maintained a sound and stable momentum of growth. China and Sri Lanka have become good neighbours looking out for each other, good friends treating each other with equality and trust, and good partners in mutually-beneficial cooperation. In the fight against the COVID-19, our friendship has been further consolidated. Looking forward, I am convinced that both of us will continue to support each other to achieve common development and bring tangible benefits to our two peoples.
Finally, I wish more and more Sri Lanka people become envoys of friendship between our two countries and wish CIUC greater success in the years to come!
Senior Professor H.D. Karunaratne
Vice-Chancellor, University of Colombo
I take pleasure and pride in sharing heartwarming greetings to the Confucius Institute, a well-known and primer institute recognized by the University of Colombo for Chinese studies. Confucius Institute at the University of Colombo (CIUC) is one of the foremost institutes and has been a home to Chinese learners with the long lasting partnership with the Beijing Foreign Studies University and the Hong- He University of China.
My respectful gratitude is extended to current Sri Lanka and China directors Professor Wimal Hewamanage and Professor Ma Zhongwu for their dedication towards this unique institute. I would also like to convey my sincere appreciation for the academic and administrative staff of both countries who sustained the great work on establishing and developing the CIUC.
The CIUC is a foremost active Institute that smoothly contributes towards Chinese education. Research and innovation are the driving force of any developing nation, Annual UCLC forum, the first journal for Chinese studies in Sri Lanka “Colombo Journal for Chinese Studies” proves the achievement of success in the research field while Cultural exchange activities carried throughout the years, Scholarship programs and educational exchange programs among China proves its educational potential.
The University of Colombo’s (UOC) staff and students have been very fortunate to benefit from extraordinary courses in learning Chinese language and culture from the CIUC. Its contemporary success in the Chinese Language Study Stream for undergraduate students in UOC is highly commendable. CIUC has also invested in the latest facilities to provide our undergraduates with new learning experiences.
Furthermore, island wide external students are providential in grasping the benefit of learning the Chinese language with the expertise of foreign and local lecturers through CIUC. Therefore, I would like to invite such students from across the country to CIUC where we nurture excellence and strive to create a positive change for a better world.
My heartwarming wishes for CIUC for a glorious future with Chinese Studies!
Prof. Ma Jianfei
Deputy Director, Confucius Headquarters (Han Ban)
On the occasion of the establishment of Confucius Institute in the University of Colombo Sri Lanka, I would like to extend the warmest congratulations on behalf of the Office of Chinese Language Council International and Confucius Institute Headquarters! At the same time, I would like to express my sincerest thanks to people from all walks of life for their contributions to the establishment of the Confucius Institute!
For a long time, Sri Lanka has established a strategic partnership with China featured by sincere mutual assistance and generation to generation friendship. In recent years, as “the Belt and Road” strategic concept has been put forward, Sri Lanka and China cooperate with each other to build “21st-Century Maritime Silk Road”, further reinforcing communication and cooperation between the two countries in all domains including politics, economics, education, culture and folk events. Next year will be the sixtieth anniversary for Sri Lanka and China to establish diplomatic relations. The establishment of Confucius Institute at the University of Colombo is not only the optimum present for this significant historical moment, but also the testimony of history for the continuous deepening development of the relations between the two countries.
The University of Colombo is the most ancient university in Sri Lanka. Beijing Foreign Studies University is the state key construction university. Honghe University is an important border university serving China’s construction strategy of “Gateway University”. I hope under the joint effort and cooperative construction of the three universities, Confucius Institute in University of Colombo will actively carry out Chinese teaching, cultural exchange, faculty training and scientific research cooperation based on the university and local communities, strive to demonstrate level and characteristic, further satisfy the requirement of Sri Lanka People for studying Chinese and learning about Chinese culture, and become the new bridge of Sri Lanka and Chinese people, new window of cultural transmission, new platform of cultural and educational exchanges, making positive contributions to promoting mutual understanding and friendship between people of the two countries.
Finally, I sincerely wish the career of Confucius Institute at the University of Colombo will flourish and achieve numerous results!
Prof. YANG Dan
President, Beijing Foreign Studies University
The year 2022 has opened a new chapter for the Confucius Institute at the University of Colombo (CIUC) with the completion of the legal procedures of transference. On behalf of Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU), I hereby express our congratulations and our sincere gratitude to everybody who has made this possible.
Sri Lanka and China enjoy a long history of connection and friendship. Since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1957, we have witnessed continuous high-level exchanges and the deepening of bilateral relations in such fields as economy, trade, culture and education. BFSU has the longest history among universities of its kind in China, offering a complete range of degrees, diplomas and programmes at various levels, with the largest number of foreign language programmes in China. Up to the year 2022, BFSU teaches 101 foreign languages. Among them, the Sinhala programme, since its establishment in 1961, has trained a large number of outstanding talents in all walks of life.
In 2016, CIUC was inaugurated, co-hosted by the University of Colombo, Honghe University, and BFSU. During the past few years, it has been carrying out online and offline programmes regarding Chinese language teaching, teacher training, cultural activities and examinations, featuring the “Chinese Plus” vocational Chinese training programme. It also provides information on Chinese education, culture and economy and conducts studies on contemporary China.
In the past, our mutual support cemented the foundation of CIUC. This year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic tie between our two countries and the 70th anniversary of the signing of Rubber-Rice Pact. With our time-honored friendship and joint efforts, we believe that CIUC will register even more progress, boost the inter-collegiate academic exchanges and cooperation, and further strengthen the bonds between our two peoples.
Prof. Gan Xuechun
President, Honghe University
Confucius Institute at the University of Colombo of Sri Lanka is officially established today. On behalf of Honghe University, one of the undertaker universities in China, and in my own name, I would like to extend my sincere and warm congratulations on the official establishment of the Confucius Institute.
Cultural exchange between China and Sri Lanka has a long standing and well-established history. In the early 5th century, a Chinese Buddhist of Jin dynasty named Faxian travelled across the ocean to seek Buddha dharma. He stayed in Sri Lanka for two years and made a great contribution to the cultural exchange between China and Sri Lanka. Even today, under the historical background of globalization, Confucius Institute has played a significant role of bridge in quickening the paces of cultural exchange between the two countries day by day. As a new-style university rising from southwestern China, Honghe University adheres to the school motto of “broadness and profoundness, braveness and perseverance”. Under the guide of internationalized school-running policies, the university is determined to try its utmost to devote to the magnificent cause of Sino-foreign cultural exchanges. This time, Beijing Foreign Studies University, Honghe University and the University of Colombo cooperate with each other to establish this Confucius Institute. It is of milestone significance and will certainly play the fortissimo of cultural exchange between China and Sri Lanka. “Penglai fairyland is not far, you diligent bird messenger, so please explore the fairyland for me”. Though it is covered with mist and waves far away in the past, it is now right before our eyes. Taking advantage of the cooperation among Beijing Foreign Studies University, Honghe University and the University of Colombo in co-establishing the Confucius Institute, the development of the three universities will certainly have a bright future. The friendship between China and Sri Lanka will be pushed to a new level.
Congratulations to the establishment of Confucius University in University of Colombo once again!
Congratulations on the new voyage of cultural exchange between China and Sri Lanka!
Senior Prof. L. Manawadu
Dean, Faculty of Arts
As the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, it is a great privilege for me to write a message to the web of the Confucius Institute of the University of Colombo, and I would like to welcome those who are associated with the Confucius Institute which is located in our Faculty. I also would like to thank all the academic and administrative staff in both countries who worked very hard to bring this institute into the present level. We at the Faculty are quite happy to give our fullest cooperation for its administrative and academic functions under the University governance system of Sri Lanka.
The main objectives of the Confucius Institute are Chinese language popular among the Sri Lankans and promote research exchangers between two countries. Learning Chinese language could be a good investment and that is better way to open new avenues for young generation of the country. .
The Confucius Institute is functioning smoothly while conducting Chinese language and cultural programs, students and staff exchange programs, research and collaborative programmes etc. with our partners Beijing Foreign Studies University and Honghe University
I would like to appreciate Confucius Institute’s contribution to the Faculty of Arts in different ways; providing financial assistance for infrastructure development, organizing conferences, conducting Chinese Language classes for undergraduates as well as outside communities etc.
I wish the Confucius Institute all success!
Prof. Lasantha Manawadu,
Dean/Arts, Senior Professor of Geography (Chair)
Prof. Wimal Hewamanage
Director (Sri Lanka)
It is a great pleasure to provide my service as the Director of Confucius Institute, University of Colombo with Prof. Huang Wei, the Chinese Director of CIUC. At the outset, I highly appreciate great support of Senior Professor Chandrika Wijeyaratne, Vice-chancellor, University of Colombo and Senior Professor Premakumara de Silva, Dean, Faculty of Arts, University of Colombo.
Since December 2016, as a young Institute of UoC, CIUC is contributing to progress knowledge, attitudes and skills of University undergraduate students focusing on the Faculty of Arts. External Chinese language courses offered by the CIUC have also been attractive. Students’ scholarship pregame, summer/winter camps, cultural exchange activities etc. are improving China – Sri Lanka friendship which goes back to the 3rd Century BCE during the time of Han dynasty.
Further, we will concentrate to launch on academic exchange and collaborative research activities, Chinese language study stream, annual research journal for Chinese Studies etc. in the coming years. To conclude, I convey my thanks and gratitude to all leaders and their followers of University of Colombo, Beijing Foreign Studies University, Honghe University and Confucius Headquarters for delivered contribution to stand Confucius Institute at the University of Colombo.
Prof. Ma Zhongwu
Director (China)
As Senior Professor Lakshman Dissanayake, the former Vice Chancellor of University of Colombo (UOC) said, Confucius Institute at the University of Colombo (CIUOC) should play an Umbrella role in the Chinese language teaching and mutual culture exchanging in the whole country of Sri Lanka. It has been performing on this way since its inauguration on 31, December 2016.
CIUOC, along with its 6 affiliated teaching spots set up in the University of Peradeniya, the University of Ruhuna, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, Vidyarathna Maha Pirivena in Horana, Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce and China Cultural Center in Sri Lanka, has done a great deal in providing chances for the local people who are interested in learning Chinese language and experiencing Chinese culture.
CIUOC is also trying its best with the help of the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka to provide service to the local community, Navy officers, Customs officers, Immigration officers, hotel staff, tourist policemen, etc., through vocational Chinese language training.
UOC is the most ancient university in Sri Lanka. Beijing Foreign Studies University, one of the two Chinese partners, is a state key construction university. Honghe University, the other partner, is an important “Gateway University” university on the frontier of China. I hope under the joint effort and cooperative construction of the three universities, CIUOC will actively carry out Chinese teaching, cultural exchange, faculty training, and scientific research cooperation based on the university and local communities, and strive to demonstrate level and characteristic.
As the second Chinese director of the CIUOC, I will try my utmost to expand on development of the institute on the basis of my predecessor’s endeavors and efforts, contributing to the benefit of local community and friendship between China and Sri Lanka.