On the morning of September 23, the inauguration ceremony of the Confucius Institute jointly established by Kunming University of Science and Technology (KUST) and National Autonomous University of Nicaragua (UNAN-Managua) was held in Managua, capital of Nicaragua. A total of 272 people attended the inauguration ceremony including Laureano Ortega Murillo, Advisor to the President of Nicaragua on Investment, Trade, and International Cooperation; Ramona Rodríguez, President of the National Council of Universities (CNU) and Rector of UNAN-Managua, Zhou Yi, Chargé d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Nicaragua; Salvador Vanegas, Advisor to the President of Nicaragua on Education; Miriam Raudez, Minister of Education of Nicaragua; Tang Jiahua, Chair of the University Council of KUST; as well as Chinese and Nicaraguan directors of Confucius Institutes in Central America.

Tang Jiahua expressed warm congratulations on the inauguration of the Confucius Institute. He pointed out that the economy and trade between the two countries have been developing rapidly since the establishment of strategic partnership between China and Nicaragua in December 2023. Taking the opportunity of the resumption of diplomatic and economic and trade relations of the two countries, KUST, with a sense of urgency, jointly establish the Confucius Institute with UNAN-Managua. This is the first educational and cultural project landed at the national level between China and Nicaragua, and also a new achievement of deepening all-round strategic cooperation between the two countries.

Laureano emphasized in his speech that the inauguration of the Confucius Institute at UNAN-Managua is an important milestone in China-Nicaragua cultural and educational exchanges, and a symbol of friendship between the people of China and Nicaragua. He expressed his commitment to further expanding and deepening cooperation between the two countries working alongside various partners to write a new chapter in educational and cultural exchanges between China and Nicaragua.

Ramona stated that UNAN-Managua will work hand in hand with KUST to build the Confucius Institute into a bridge to promote exchanges and a bond of mutual appreciation and integration between China and Nicaragua. She comprehensively reviewed the process in declaration, preparation, and construction of the Confucius Institute between UNAN-Managua and KUST, indicating that the completion of the Confucius Institute was not easy, and in the future, they will do a good job in all the work of the Confucius Institute to promote exchanges, enhance understanding, and spread friendship.

In his speech, Zhou Yi emphasized that the establishment of the Confucius Institute in Nicaragua can not only meet the needs of local people to learn Chinese, but also help to promote cultural exchanges between China and Nicaragua, bring the hearts of the people of the two countries closer to each other, contribute to the promotion of humanistic exchanges between China and Nicaragua and friendship between the people of the two countries, and allow Nicaraguan people to better understand China, read China and bear witness to China, so as to promote friendly cooperation and common development between China and Nicaragua.

Zhao Lingshan, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the Chinese International Education Foundation, said in a video address that China and Nicaragua are like-minded friends and partners. In the nearly three years since the resumption of diplomatic relations, the bilateral relations have achieved long-term development, and the educational and cultural exchanges between the two countries have become increasingly close. He sincerely wishes the Confucius Institute all the best and thriving growth.

Yu Yunfeng, Director of the Center for Language Education and Cooperation of the Ministry of Education of China, mentioned in his congratulatory letter that 2024 marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Confucius Institute brand. The inauguration and operation of the Confucius Institute at UNAN-Managua at this special juncture is of great milestone significance, which not only demonstrates the vigorous vitality of the educational and cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and Nicaragua, but also foretells a bright and prosperous future for the humanistic exchanges between the two countries.

The Confucius Institute at UNAN-Managua is the only Confucius Institute established by a university from Yunnan Province in the capital of an American country, and also the first Confucius Institute established by a university from Yunnan in the Americas. The establishment of the Confucius Institute in Nicaragua not only marks another important milestone in the exchange of our province and even Chinese culture with the world, but also opens a new chapter in humanistic exchange and educational cooperation between China and Nicaragua and even in the wider region.

Representatives from the Nicaraguan National Science and Technology Authority, the Caribbean Education System, faculty and student representatives from universities, Confucius Institute students, representatives of Chinese enterprises in Nicaragua, overseas Chinese, and heads of relevant faculties of KUST attended the inauguration ceremony.

Translated by: LI Wenting, Division of International Cooperation

Source: School of International Education

Issued by: Division of International Cooperation (English)