On January 24, the First Session of the Third Meeting of the Council of the Confucius Institute was jointly held by KUST and Souphanouvong University in Laos. WANG Hua, president of KUST, and Vixay CHANSAVANG, president of Souphanouvong University attended the meeting. The meeting was chaired by YI Jianhong, vice president of KUST and Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute.

At the meeting, the decision regarding changing members of the Council was passed, andthe 2021 Work Report of the Confucius Institute of Souphanouvong University，2021 Final Account of Project Operation Expenses, 2022Work Planofthe Confucius Institute of Souphanouvong University, and 2022ProjectOperationBudgetPlan were reviewed and approved.

WANG Hua shared that the teaching and other relevant work in the Confucius Institute has been moved online as a result of the pandemic. The Confucius Institute, therefore, needs to seek broader and closer partnerships with local consulates, governments, colleges and universities, as well as Chinese-funded enterprises to promote the implementation of projects while ensuring prevention and protection against the COVID-19 pandemic and the humanistic care for the staff. KUST will always be supportive of the development of the Confucius Institute of Souphanouvong University in Laos. It is willing to work with Laos to deepen cooperation, promote the sustainable development oftheConfucius Institute with specialization and localization, promote the building of a community with a shared future between China and Laos, and make greater contributions to the exchanges and mutual learning of diverse civilizationsaroundthe world.

Vixay CHANSAVANG pointed out that it is hard to carry out projects in the Confucius Institute due to the repetitive pandemicbreakouts in Laos. However, under the support and guidance of leaders from the two universities, teachers from China and Laos have delivered remarkable achievement via their solidarity and joint efforts. Now the influence of the Confucius Institute is also expanding, and it is respected and recognized by the local people in Laos.

At the meeting, focusing on the China-Laos Railway, the two sides discussed the plan for the future development. The Confucius Institute is expected to be a platformto cultivate special projects and talents that serve the operation of the China-Laos Railway, promote in-depth exchanges between China and Laos in education, culture, science and technology, and enhance the cooperation between the governments, enterprises and universities in China and Laos.

Translated by: PENG Ting, Faculty of Foreign Languages and Cultures

Edited by: ZHANG Wei, Faculty of Foreign Languages and Cultures (English)

Source: School of International Education

Issued by: Division of International Cooperation (English)

Edited by: KUST News Center (Chinese)