Republican Confucius Institute of Sinology at Belarusian State University (BSU Confucius Institute for short below) was founded on July 5, 2006 and in the co-construction of DUT and BSU in November 2009. Over the past 30 years, after the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Belarus, in the principle of mutual trust and win-win cooperation, two countries carried out cooperation in various fields, helped each other in complex international environment, built the community with a shared future and became the good example of new-type international relations. DUT and BSU constantly consolidated cooperative relationships, promoted striding development of BSU Confucius Institute, became the role model of education oriented to Belarus, made great contributions to human culture exchange, further international understanding and learning of mutual civilizations between two countries. Since elected as globally advanced Confucius Institute in 2011, approved to establish Demonstrated Confucius Institute in 2016 and honored with the title of “Demonstrated Confucius Institute” officially by Confucius Institute headquarters in 2019, Republican Confucius Institute of Sinology at Belarusian State University sounded a powerful voice in a spirited and enterprising manner and manifested the image of China, which is sure of itself and communicative with the world.
Dare to Take on the Mission and Pioneer Belarusian Chinese Language Teaching
Republican Confucius Institute of Sinology at Belarusian State University is the first one in Belarus, with high rank, big influence and long development. Since founded, BSU Confucius Institute has not only regarded the promotion of Chinese language and the spread of Chinese culture as its duty, but also taken on the mission in promoting the construction of Belarusian sinologist team, as well as the bilateral cooperation in economy, trade and diplomacy.
Since its establishment, Republican Confucius Institute of Sinology at Belarusian State University has developed by leaps and bounds. Over the past 16 years, from a small classroom with only one teacher and several students to the largest Chinese language teaching institution with 4 standardized Confucius classrooms, 6 teaching stations, 3,407 enrolled students and 14,916 students admitted in total, it accumulated richly to be a resounding success and received many honors and much acclaim. The role of its Chinese language promotion is irreplaceable in Belarus. As the largest Chinese language examination center in Belarus, Republican Confucius Institute of Sinology at Belarusian State University has been committed to the construction of Chinese language examination service system and established exam centers for HSK, HSKK, YCT and CATTI to provide examination service for more than 5,000 candidates from around the world.
Hand in hand to create a new model of collaborative education
The development of BSU Confucius Institute has been highly valued by Chinese and foreign concerned parties. Both parties are dynamic to cooperate, take it seriously and never stint on site, teachers, funds and other teaching resources. Over the years, it has achieved fruitful results in talent education, academic exchange and scientific research cooperation, composed the cadenza of mutual advancement and common development, formed the distinctive education system of Trinity- 3 into 1, including China-Belarus Institute, Belarus-China Institute and Confucius Institute.
To build this language bridge of cultural exchange, Dalian University of Technology (DUT) has incorporated the construction of BSU Confucius Institute into overall development plan and listed it as key work for which president served as the chairman. DUT continuously innovated development ideas and invested more to promote its connotative development and assigned international Chinese language teachers and volunteers every year. Aimed at students’ long and cherished desire for study in China, DUT planned various short-term language training programs to have their wish fulfilled, including "Confucius Institute Youth Language Training Camp" for enrolled students, as well as “Foreign Native Chinese Language Teacher Training” and “Chinese Bridge” online group exchange program for foreign teachers, which were much acclaimed by students and teachers.
Develop with distinctive features and build local Chinese language talent training system
BSU Confucius Institute worked along two levels to cultivate native scientific research and teaching personnel and build a complete Chinese language talent training system.
At the level of scientific research, BSU Confucius Institute provided decision-making basis for Belarusian government through the research on referential value of experience and policies in China's reform and opening up, as well as seminars about opportunities and challenges of China's great initiative "the Belt and Road". Every year BSU Confucius Institute undertakes “Belarusian Chinese Language Teacher Seminar”, which is organized by Education Office of Chinese Embassy in Belarus, in an effort to create a good academic exchange atmosphere for young sinologists.
At the level of education, in addition to public Chinese language tutoring class, BSU Confucius Institute proceeded from serious shortage of Chinese language teachers in primary and middle schools as the bottleneck in the development of Chinese language teaching in Belarus and proposed a detailed scheme of cultivating native primary and middle school Chinese language teachers to Belarusian Ministry of Education. BSU Confucius Institute started to undertake training for Belarusian native primary and middle school Chinese language teachers in 2018 and trained 102 teachers for Belarusian states totally. BSU Confucius Institute enrolls 60 students every year and delivers high-quality teachers to Belarusian Chinese language without a stop.
Build a solid foundation for Chinese culture promotion with brand influence
BSU Confucius Institute has been committed to shaping and showcasing brand image from multiple dimensions including high-level international seminars about "the Belt and Road" and "China-Belarus cooperation" topics, the publication of “China-Belarus Belarusian Chinese Dictionary” and “Special Issue on Works of Excellence by Chinese Contemporary Writers”, Chinese Olympic Competition, Mid Autumn Festival Gala and Hard Pen Calligraphy Competition. BSU Confucius Institute is pragmatic to write a glorious chapter for China-Belarus cultural exchange. A total of 70,133 Belarusian people attended its activities so far. The overseas dissemination of traditional Chinese culture was strongly promoted as a result.
In celebration of relocation of BSU Confucius Institute, DUT presented Confucius Bronze Statue as a gift and also a shiny business card to advertise BSU Confucius Institute brand. This Confucius Bronze Statue is located in the center of Minsk and at the entrance of BSU Confucius Institute, indicating that Confucius as Chinese great educator, thinker, philosopher is held in great esteem in Belarus, drawing attentions of countless citizens and tourists. This Confucius Bronze Statue is an eye-catching cultural landscape in Minsk, implying Chinese culture has taken root and sprouted in Belarus. Confucius' great idea of “Great Unity” will certainly have a huge impact on the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Belarus.
From establishment, to unveiling ceremony, to school expansion and to connotative development, BSU Confucius Institute achieved striding development from zero & small to the big one, witnessed the passion and desire of Belarusian people for Chinese language learning, as well as unshakable, lasting and firm friendship between China and Belarus.
BSU Confucius Institute has nowadays become a case in point in the matter of education cooperation between China and Belarus. It is believed that, with the concerted efforts of both parties, BSU Confucius Institute will go up into a higher level, play a demonstrating and leading role even further, continuously deepen mutual learning among civilizations and cooperation in various fields, enhance understanding and friendship between two peoples, help DUT and BSU cooperate at a deeper and higher level.
