Confucius Institute at Troy University opens new Montgomery office

The Confucius Institute at Troy University has opened a new office at TROY?s Montgomery Campus, giving citizens of the River Region closer access to the Institute?s business, educational and cultural resources.
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TROY?s Confucius Institute is the state?s only such institute with a statewide mission of providing the people of Alabama with knowledge of China that will serve business, educational, cultural, and public interests.
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Opened this fall, the new Montgomery Campus office will be staffed with a full-time Chinese business language teacher, giving local schools and businesses increased access to a variety of services including language training, study abroad programs and translation services, among other programs.
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On Thursday, Sept. 20, University and Institute officials met in Montgomery with a group of leaders from throughout the state representing economic development, education, arts and government, to discuss ways the Confucius Institute can best serve the State of Alabama.
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As the world?s second largest economy and a leading purchaser of U.S. exports, strong relationships with China are vital for both the nation and state said TROY Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., chair of the TROY Confucius Institute Board.
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?Obviously the interest we have in China as a state and nation continues to grow, and for a variety of reasons we believe that as two world powers come together, we had best function as friends,? Dr. Hawkins said. ?The Confucius Institute is one of the best examples of soft diplomacy ever created.?
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Among the programs offered by TROY's new Montgomery Confucius Institute office will be ?Chinese in Schools,? aimed at developing Chinese language programs in Alabama schools.
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?Knowledge of Chinese language and culture is becoming increasingly important for Alabama and America,? said Dr. Iris Hong Xu, director of the Confucius Institute at Troy University. ?The new Montgomery office will offer an extensive support program for teachers and students of Chinese language and culture in local schools.?
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The ?Chinese in Schools? program will provide training and professional development for teachers, networking for schools taking part in Chinese language initiatives and after-school programs for middle and high school students, among other services.
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For local businesses, the Confucius Institute offers a variety of programs and services aimed at promoting economic development, tourism and exchange between the U.S. and China. The Institute can provide on-demand translation services for businesses, organize language and cultural training for business groups headed to China and act as a service provider for businesses currently operating in China or planning to do so.
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The Institute?s Montgomery office is located in Whitley Hall, room 307, and can be reached at 334-240-7325 or confucius@troy.edu. The Troy Campus office can be reached at 334-808-6348.
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The Confucius Institute at Troy University was established in 2007 with support from the Chinese Ministry of Education and was the first of its kind in Alabama.

Source:? Troy University Office of University Relations

Source: http://eastmontgomery.wsfa.com/news/news/184597-confucius-institute-troy-university-opens-new-montgomery-office

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