On the morning of August 5th, Vixay Chansavang, President of Souphanouvong University, issued a credit certificate to Mr. Zhang Minghu, Chinese President of the Confucius Institute at Souphanouvong University. The award was commissioned by the State Council Order 2021/465 under the authority of Phankham Viphavanh, Prime Minister of the State Council of the Central Government of Laos, and was entrusted by Phout Simmalavong, Minister of Education and Sports. It is in recognition of Zhang’s efforts and contribution during his tenure at the Confucius Institute at Souphanouvong University.

This is the first time the central government of Laos has issued this certificate to a representative of a foreign cooperation institution in the name of the prime minister. This shows the emphasis of the Lao government on China-Laos relations, as well as the recognition and support to the work of KUST-Souphanouvong University Confucius Institute. As the first Chinese president of Confucius Institute at Souphanouvong University, Zhang Minghu has tirelessly made efforts and contributions to the construction and development of the Confucius Institute. During the global reform and development of Confucius Institutes and the spread of COVID-19, he has ensured the safety of epidemic prevention while actively promoting the steady development of the Confucius Institute. This has enabled the Confucius Institute to make contributions in its capacity for people-to-people and cultural exchanges to promote further cooperation between China and Laos.

Lao Souphanouvong University Confucius Institute was launched on July 13th, 2018. It is the first Confucius Institute established by KUST in cooperation with northern Laos and the second Confucius Institute in all of Laos. The Institute has so far trained a total of more than 1,500 students in Chinese courses, has conducted Chinese undergraduate programs, and has held HSK Chinese Proficiency Tests for more than 1,500 candidates. Its aim is to serve the “Belt and Road Initiative” and the development of a China-Laos community with a shared future for mankind. This Institute has been gradually developing into an important project and platform for the schools to serve the cultivation of Chinese language applied talents in northern Laos and the continued cooperation of the Yunnan-Northern Laos governments.

Translated by: YANG Fuyu, Faculty of Foreign Languages and Cultures

Edited by: DUAN Tianting, 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)