Rector of HOWEST, University College West Flanders Visited ZJSU
On 4th December, Lode de Geyter, Rector of HOWEST and D'hulster Frederik, Vice Rector of HOWEST visited ZJSU. President Chen Shoucan, Vice President Dai Wenzhan, Director of International Office and both Chinese and Belgium Dean of Confucius Institute attended the meeting.
President Chen first addressed a speech and expressed warm welcome to the visitors. Rector Lode delivered exciting news that the Confucius Institute co-established by HOWEST and ZJSU was nominated as “Confucius Institute of the Year”, himself as Advanced Individual, and was invited to Shanghai for the award ceremony of World Confucius Institute Conference. The two sides looked back to the memorable days when they worked jointly to set up Confucius Institute and the achievements have made so far. In addition, the two sides reached a consensus on further construction and development of Confucius Institute. The presidents also spoke highly of the exchanges and cooperation between two schools in recent years, and expressed the aspiration for expanding them.
ZJSU started cooperation with HOWEST in 2010. The teachers and students of two sides both enjoyed the exchanges and cooperation. ZJSU has sent about more than 50 students to HOWEST and HOWEST also has sent around 200 students to ZJSU for short or long term exchanges. Meanwhile, dozens of leaders and teachers of the two sides have paid mutual visits.
On April 19th, the Confucius Institute was established in Brugge by joint efforts of ZJSU and HOWEST. Over the past three years, the Confucius Institute has achieved great success under the support of Office of Chinese Language Council International and guidance of Zhejiang Bureau of Education. So far, the largest HSK test site has been set up in Confucius Institute. In 2014, Confucius Institute specially undertook culture training for the purpose of welcoming Chinese President Xi Jinping to Belgium. Meanwhile, Confucius Institute conducted various language and culture activities according to local people’s interest. Currently, a series of Chinese culture programs has taken shape, such as Spring Festival Gala, Chinese Calligraphy Exhibition, Confucius Institute Day etc. It also enlarges the influence of Confucius Institute by holding summer camp of Belgian University students.
