To bring China closer to UCLA, the Confucius Institute opened on Aug. 16, offering services such as language training, academic exchanges, cultural events and professional development for people in the UCLA and greater Los Angeles communities.
The Confucius Institute at UCLA, which is sponsored in part by the Chinese government, is just one of many around the world and is the first in Southern California.
The idea behind the Confucius Institute, said Assistant Provost David Unruh, is to bring together the myriad of China-related resources already available.
“We’re just trying to play a larger part in facilitating these different entities coming together,” he said.
Indeed, the Confucius Institute will involve the combined efforts of many different organizations, including university-affiliated ones such as the Center for East-West Medicine, the Center for Chinese Studies, and the Asia Institute.
“We see a fit between our center’s and their institute’s work,” said Ka-Kit Hui, the director of Center for East-West Medicine.
Hui said his center is working with the Confucius Institute to develop courses for medical students and professionals in combining modern medicine with traditional Chinese methods.
“China has been an important component of the global arena. Its culture needs to be appreciated by people in the West, and I think for many years people have already benefited from their exposure to Chinese medicine,” he said.
Nick Menzies, assistant director of the Asia Institute at UCLA, said that his institute has recently begun discussions with the Confucius Institute to create an exchange program with the East China Normal University in Shanghai.
David Schaberg, co-director for the Center for Chinese Studies and an associate professor of Asian Languages and Culture, said the CCS is also beginning talks with the Confucius Institute to develop programs and sponsor events related to Chinese language and culture.
“The demand is out there; Americans want to know about China,” Schaberg said.
One thing many of those involved in the Confucius Institute agree on is the importance of its work given what they see as China’s rising position in today’s geopolitical climate.
“Obviously this is a time of China’s incredible rise in world economics … and world culture,” said Schaberg.
“China is very interested in teaching the world about Chinese culture. China’s interested in having a stake in how it’s presented to the world,” he added, speaking to the fact that the Confucius Institute is sponsored by the Chinese government.
Unruh said the Confucius Institutes around the world are an important attempt for outreach from China.
“I think the Chinese are realizing they need to reach out … (the country) needs to develop good relationships,” said Unruh.
Schaberg said he hopes the Confucius Institute at UCLA can bring together the wide array of existing China-related resources to educate the community about an important world player.
“I think what we have now is a lot of talent, a lot of goodwill, and a need for central and high level leadership to bring together the kinds of resources we’ve got,” he said.