ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH OCTOBER 2007-SEPTEMBER 2008
The Confucius Institute at the University of Utah was founded in the Fall of 2007 with generous financial support from the Chinese government and Jon Huntsman, Sr. Through the course of the Institute s inaugural year, it organized many events on campus and in Salt Lake City, and received wide and positive attention in the community.
GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION The Confucius Institute was launched at a public media event, held at the University of Utah Alumni House in October 2007. Governor Jon Huntsman, President Michael K. Young of the University of Utah, and Shi Jian, Vice President of Sichuan University, attended the event. Major local media came to the event and reported it widely.
KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2007-2008 THE CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH Photo by Wang Qian SICHUAN EARTHQUAKE BENEFIT CONCERT SATURDAY, AUGUST 30, 7:30 P.M. LIBBY GARDNER HALL, SCHOOL OF MUSIC THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH TICKETS ARE $10 EACH. The Confucius Institute at The University of Utah presents an Earthquake Benefit concert by the faculty of University of Utah s School of Music and musicians of the Utah Symphony. The proceeds of this concert will be donated to the special earthquake-relief scholarship fund of Sichuan University, our sister school and partner of the Confucius Institute, to benefit students affected by the devastating earthquake in China. The concert will feature the famous violin concerto Butterfly Lovers and Mozart s Sonata in D major. For more information please call 801.585.0988 or visit http://www.confucius.utah.edu THE CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE Organized a Sichuan Earthquake Benefit Concert at The University of Utah in August. Distriubuted $2,000 to Earthquake Victims. Co-sponsored the 2008 Salt Lake City Chinese New Year celebrations. Secured two scholarships from the Chinese government for University of Utah students to study in China. Awarded an $11,000 scholarship to the new Asian Studies Master s program. Awarded two scholarships to Chinese students studying at the School of Medicine at the University of Utah. Contributed $5,000 towards establishing a Tanner Asian Studies Fellow at The Tanner Humanities Center Sponsored Xiaoyu Xu from the School of Pharmacy to represent The University of Utah at the Dragon 100 Young Chinese Leaders Forum 2008 in Hong Kong and Guangdong Province, China. Organized a business lunch seminar on Doing Business in China by prominent scholar Harry Harding. Governor Huntsman s representative, the president of Salt Lake City World Trade Center, and members of the business community attended the event.
T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F U T A H CHINESE CULTURE WEEK MARCH 24-31, 08 www.hum.utah.edu CHINESE CULTURE WEEK MARCH 24-31, 08 www.hum.utah.edu CHINESE CULTURE WEEK MARCH 24-31, 08 www.hum.utah.edu Organized Chinese Cultural Week in March, which was a great success. Events were held each day, ranging from a lecture on an exhibit of the famous San-xingdui archeological find by Professor Li Xiaotao, Deputy Director of Sichuan University Museum, to a Traditional Chinese Music and Dance Performance by the Student Art Troupe of Sichuan University. A traditional Chinese music concert was also very well received. A Chinese speech contest generated enthusiasm among students. The Confucius Institute awarded the first prize winner partial funding to study at Sichuan University for one semester. Co-sponsored a week-long workshop on Chinese culture for K-12 teachers in June. The workshop covered Chinese history, philosophy, literature and sociology, and had 26 participants. It was deemed a great success by the participants. The Confucius Institute hosts two teachers from Sichuan University. They offer Chinese language classes to the community through Continuing Education and Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce. They also teach for the University and their classes have had excellent enrollment: There are 43 students enrolled in their Chinese language classes in fall 2008, and 7 ROTC students enrolled in intensive Chinese in summer 2008. The Confucius Institute also organizes an ongoing monthly scholarly presentation on China at the University of Utah. Topics range from politics and history to sociology and literature.
MOVING FORWARD As the Confucius Institute enters its second year, it plans to continue to offer many of the exciting programs and activities such as language teaching, academic lectures, artistic performances, and symposiums. We look forward to your continued support. THE CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE 215 South Central Campus Drive Room 210B Salt Lake City UT 84112 801.585.0988 http://www.confucius.utah.edu