Confucius Institute at Webster University Named Institute of the Year

ST. LOUIS (FEB. 9, 2015) - The Confucius Institute at Webster University was named “Confucius Institute of the Year” by HANBAN, a branch of the Chinese Ministry of Education. This is the second time the institute has received the prestigious honor.

The Institute offers a wide-range of outreach activities to the community. These include Mandarin language and culture classes at Webster University and St. Louis-area K-12 schools, hosting Chinese immersion trips for area university and high school students, Chinese cultural events, workshops for Chinese language teachers, collaborative projects with the Magic House Children’s Museum and St. Louis Botanical Garden, lectures and conferences on China and conducting workshops with St. Louis companies that do business in China.

“Our dedicated, enthusiastic staff, volunteer teachers, and visiting scholars continue to bring Chinese culture and language to our community in beautiful and engaging ways, and this award is a reflection of the hard work that they do every day,” said Deborah Pierce, who directs Webster's Center for International Education and Confucius Institute. “As the St. Louis area continues become more international and diversified, it is imperative that resources such as the Confucius Institute help our region better understand one of the largest and fastest-expanding market places in the world — China.”

The Confucius Institute at Webster University receives funding from HANBAN and is sponsored by Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU). Established in 2008, it is part of an international network of 498 Confucius Institutes in 66 countries worldwide. Confucius Institutes are dedicated to promoting the understanding of Chinese language and culture, and to fostering friendly relations between China and the world.

This is the second time the Institute has been recognized by HANBAN. It previously was named “Confucius Institute of the Year” in 2012.

With its home campus in St. Louis, Webster University (www.webster.edu) is the only Tier 1, private, non-profit U.S.-based university providing a network of international residential campuses and a robust online learning program. Founded in 1915, Webster University’s campus network today includes metropolitan, military and corporate locations around the world, as well as traditional campuses in Asia, Europe, North America, and Africa. The university is committed to delivering high-quality learning experiences that transform students for global citizenship and individual excellence.