Team Leader
Dr. Jane Pumai Awi (PhD)
Director - Center for Confucius Education, Cultural and Research
Introduction
The University of Goroka and the Open University of China signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate in the setting up of the Confucius Education, Culture and Research Centre at the University of Goroka. The Centre, following the model of the Confucius Institute, will promote intercultural exchange, Mandarin Language training, and provide research opportunities for scholars and students of both universities.
The University of Goroka has set up office spaces for the Centre. Delegates of the Open University of China visited the University of Goroka on the 23rd of September 2019 to witness the launching of the Centre and signing of the Memorandum of Understanding by representatives from both Universities.
Vision
The Vision of the Confucius Education, Cultural and Research Centre is to advance education and cultural exchange between Papua New Guinea and China.
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Promote education and cultural programmes between the University of Goroka and China Open University.
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Encourage teaching of Chinese language Courses, train staff and students and enhance institutional capacity in Open and Distance Learning (ODL).
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Promote existing bilateral collaboration between the institutions in China and Papua New Guinea.
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Enhance mobility and accountability, internationalization and cultural and education exchange programmes between the two countries.
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Foster an international inter-university cooperation and networking with a view to enhancing institutional capacities through knowledge-sharing and collaborative work between the two Universities.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Confucius Education, Cultural and Research Centre is to:
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Promote existing bilateral collaboration between the institutions in China and Papua New Guinea and, in close cooperation with stakeholders, to address and improve equitable access to quality higher education;
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Enhance mobility and accountability, internationalization and cultural and education exchange programmes between the two countries;
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Promote excellence in intercultural research;
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Employ innovative actions to enhance national capacities through providing and sharing information and technical assistance in the Chinese language Centre and Open and Distance learning;
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Foster international inter-university cooperation and networking with a view to enhancing institutional capacities through knowledge-sharing and collaborative work between the two Universities.
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The Confucius Centre will be a Centre of Excellence for Intercultural Research.
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It will coordinate research by Chinese scholars and students in the Eastern Highlands Province and other Provinces of Papua New Guinea.
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It will organise conferences, workshops and seminars on matters related to Chinese affairs.
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Students from the University of Goroka can be invited to Universities in China, covered under the Memorandum of Understanding, for studies either for short-term periods or for full term Degree programs.
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Staff members can go for professional development training in China.
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Students and staff from the University of Goroka can go for short-term cultural visits to China.
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2024 UOG Students Trip to China
A total of 7 UOG Chinese Mandarin Students visited China. They travelled and encountered other people’s perspectives. It was a positive experience. These are their reflections.
A total of 7 UOG Chinese Mandarin Students visited China. They travelled and encountered other people’s perspectives. It was a positive experience. These are their reflections.
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Students from Chinese Universities, covered under the Memorandum of Understanding, can be invited to the University of Goroka for studies either on short-term periods or for full term Degree programmes in Anthropology; Melanesian Languages, Papua New Guinea Affairs and other fields of study.
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Students from Chinese universities can attend the University of Goroka for training in English, cultural studies and intercultural performances.
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Staff members from Chinese universities can come for research collaboration with staff members of University of Goroka in Papua New Guinea.
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Chinese students can learn Melanesian Culture and languages.
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Mandarin will be taught as a subject for students of Language and Literature, Tourism and Hospitality, Business Studies and other interested students and staff.
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Courses on Chinese culture, including Confucian Philosophy and Values will be offered.
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Scholarships will be provided under Chinese Government and grant organisations for students with academic potential to study in China.
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Selected postgraduate students will have opportunities to study in Chinese Universities.
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Staff members from the University of Goroka, needing advanced degrees as part of the staff development programme, can be provided with scholarships to study in Chinese universities.
The Confucius Education, Cultural and Research Centre was set up in 2018 and launched in 2019 with the following achievements, the Centre has:
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It has office facilities for three officers including the Director, a Researcher and a Language Instructor and Receptionist;
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Room for language laboratory;
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Conference room for 20 people;
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A signboard for Confucius centre;
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The representative of the Open University of China and the University of Goroka signed a Memorandum of Understanding, on the 23rd of September 2019.
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A joint application was made by the University of Goroka and the China Open University to Hanban for the establishment of the Confucius Institute at the University of Goroka and will assist in the construction of 2 cloud classrooms equipped with computer and video communication facilities.
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A shipment of computers with the Chinese Mandarin Language program for University of Goroka awaits COVID 19 Clearance in China port. We look forward to receiving the equipment and the language program to begin offering Chinese Mandarin Language course at the newly established Confucius Centre at the University of Goroka.
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Two selected staff members will travel to China for Chinese Mandarin Language Training once the COVID-19 situation is settled and restrictions lifted.
The Confucius Education, Cultural and Research Centre is now embarking on the following tasks:
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Follow up on the joint application with the Open University of China to establish the first Confucius Centre in Papua New Guinea at the University of Goroka;
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Sharing information and technical assistance to teach Chinese Mandarin Language in 2020;
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Collaborate with the Open University of China to develop the Open and Distance learning to foster international inter-university cooperation and networking through knowledge-sharing and shared activities;
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Planning for a delegation from the University of Goroka to visit the Open University of China in May 2020;
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Working on a proposal for a building for the Confucius Centre with language laboratory and office spaces;
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Making an application to the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Port Moresby for a Chinese Mandarin Language Volunteer;
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Recruiting of a Director and a Personal Assistant for the Confucius Education, Cultural and Research Centre.