Confucius Institute - Mandarin Language Leader
The Confucius Institute network is being created to spearhead the teaching of the Chinese language and culture worldwide, as well as acting as a vehicle through which to strengthen economic and business ties.
The Institutes are considered a very high priority of the Government of the People's Republic of China.
On July 6th 2005, China's Ambassador, Madame Fu Ying joined with Melbourne University's Vice-Chancellor Glyn Davis, in front of an audience of over 150 leading business and academic representatives, for the official signing of a Letter of Intent to establish the leading national centre, to be known as the Confucius Institute at The University of Melbourne.
With funding from both the Chinese and Victorian Governments, the Institute is co-located with the Australian China Business Council. As well as delivering language, cultural exchange and training programs, it will offer advanced programs to enhance the business and trade relations between the State of Victoria and China.
The Institute aims to be a centre of education excellence for Australian companies wishing to do business with China and for Chinese companies and executives wanting to do business in Australia.