The Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) and Hangzhou Dianzi University (HDU) of China signed on Tuesday an agreement for the establishment of the Confucius Institute. The agreement was signed by Rector Panagiotis Zafiris of CUT and Rector ZHU Zefei of HDU. The signing ceremony took place in the presence of Liu Yantao, Ambassador of China to Cyprus.
As a press release issued by the CUT reads, the establishment of the Confucius Institute at CUT marks an important milestone in cultural exchanges between Cyprus and China and will serve as a living hub for students, scholars and community members interested in deepening their understanding of Chinese culture.
It is further added that the Confucius Institute at CUT will serve as a dedicated centre and offer a range of language courses, cultural activities, academic exchanges, and research initiatives. Through these activities, the Institute aims to cultivate intercultural competences, promote academic cooperation and deepen understanding and appreciation of the Chinese language, traditions and heritage in the Cypriot community.
Rector Panayiotis Zaphiris expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, saying that “the establishment of the Confucius Institute at Cyprus University of Technology will provide an invaluable opportunity for our students and the wider community to engage with Chinese language and culture.”
Rector Zhu Zefei of HDU also conveyed his optimism about the collaboration, pointing out that “the establishment of the Confucius Institute at Cyprus University of Technology is a testament to the deepening friendship between China and Cyprus.”
The ambassador of China in Cyprus, Liu Yantao, emphasised the significance of the Confucius Institute in enhancing cultural ties, saying that “this institute will serve as a bridge for cultural understanding and promote people-to-people connections. It is a testament to the enduring friendship between our nations.”
With the establishment of the Confucius Institute, both Cyprus University of Technology and Hangzhou Dianzi University are poised to deepen their collaboration in the fields of education, research and cultural exchange. This partnership will contribute to the enrichment of academic and cultural experiences for students, faculty and the broader community, the press release concludes.
Source: Cyprus News Agency