The Annual Board Meeting between the University of Kelaniya and the Chongqing Normal University on behalf of the Confucius Institute at the University of Kelaniya was held on the 22nd of April 2024 at the University Senate Room. Senior Prof. Nilanthi de Silva, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, Dr. Sudath Senerath, the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Ven. Prof. Nadalagamuwe Dhammadinna Thero, the Head Department of Modern Languages, and Dr. Jani Samarakoon, the Co-Director for the Sri Lankan side at the Confucius Institute at the UOK participated in the Board Meeting representing the University of Kelaniya while Prof. Meng Dongfang, Chancellor of the Chongqing Normal University, Prof. Zhang Lihui, the Dean of the School of International Chinese Culture, Chongqing Normal University, Prof. Peng Kangzhou, Vice Dean of the School of Foreign Languages, Chongqing Normal University, Prof. Ran Yahui, Deputy Director of the Graduate School of Chongqing Normal University as well as Dr. Wu Hongyuan, the Co-Director for the China side at the Confucius Institute at the UOK participated in the Board Meeting representing the Chongqing Normal University.
After a warm welcome, all board members gathered in the Senate Room. Before starting the board meeting Dr. Jani Samarakoon introduced the participants of the board meeting on the UOK side. Furthermore, Prof. Zhang Lihui introduced the participants of the board meeting on the Chongqing Normal University side. Then Dr. Wu Hongyuan presented the summary of the Work & Financial Report of the Confucius Institute for 2022 and 2023 years as well as the Annual Work Report of the 2024 year. Dr. Jani Samarakoon translated the summary of the work report.
Later, Prof. Meng Dongfang the Chancellor of the Chongqing Normal University addressed the Board Meeting. First Prof. Meng expresses gratitude for the warm welcome, especially from the traditional Kandyan Dancing Team and the tradition of lighting the oil lamp symbolizing friendship between two countries. Prof. Meng then highlights the mutual support between CNU and UOK during the pandemic, the significance of the establishment of a CI for language learning, and the benefits of student exchange programs for cooperation. The speaker also praises the quality of education provided by UOK and expresses a commitment to continued support and cooperation between the two universities in future endeavors. Next Senior. Prof. Nilanthi de Siva the Vice Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, addressed the Board Meeting. Senior. Prof. Nilanthi formally welcomed the representatives representing the China side and expressed her sincere gratitude for the immense contribution of the Confucius Institute at the University of Kelaniya. Moreover, appreciate the services provided by the Confucius Institute to university students, Senior. Prof. Nilanthi further stated the University of Kelaniya hopes to strengthen long-term relations between the two universities through the signed agreement regarding the establishment of the Confucius Institute between the Chongqing Normal University, the Chinese International Education Foundation, and the University of Kelaniya.
The highlight of the Board Meeting was the signing of the renewal MOU with the Chinese International Education Foundation, the Chongqing Normal University, and the University of Kelaniya on the Cooperation on Confucius Institute in person. The Chinese International Education Foundation party is supposed to sign the agreement soon in China.
After a short tea ceremony, the discussion started again, in which, there was an exchange of views between the two parties about what work needed to be done for the academic development of the university students and the increase of service and the work efficiency at the Confucius Institute. After this discussion round, the chancellor of Chongqing Normal University invited the vice-chancellor of the University of Kelaniya presenting an invitation card to attend the celebration of the seventieth anniversary of Chongqing Normal University. It's a pleasure to mention that the Board meeting was very successful.
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