Dr. Wu Hongyuan, Chinese Co-Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Kelaniya, and Chinese honors degree third-year seven undergraduates from the Chinese Unit in the Department of Modern Languages participated in the 8th ‘Silk Road Cup’ Chinese Language and Culture competition, organized by the Confucius Institute at Mahasarakham University and the Confucius Institute at Khon Kaen University in Thailand. The undergraduates are Nishahansi Dewanmini (HS/2019/0229), the team leader; Dilani Chathumali (HS/2019/1087), Nimanthi Chamika (HS/2019/0030), Hansi Muthukumari (HS/2019/0144), Vishaka Dewsara (HS/2019/0682), Kavindaya Lakshani (HS/2019/1080), and Amila Madhushan (HS/2019/0914).
It is worth mentioning that this is the first time in the history of Chinese language teaching at the University of Kelaniya that the institution has participated in an international competition. As such, this is an unforgettable event for both the Chinese Language Unit of our university and the Confucius Institute, which organizes such events.
The competition took place from November 21 to November 23, 2024. The group of undergraduates, including Dr. Wu Hongyuan, representing the University of Kelaniya, departed for Thailand on November 20, they were warmly welcomed by volunteers from the Confucius Institute at Mahasarakham University.
On November 21st in the morning, the Director of the Confucius Institute at Mahasarakham University organized a small meeting for the University of Kelaniya team and the University of Tanjungpura, Indonesia team. Following the meeting, they were taken to the competition venue, where they had the opportunity to practice. In the evening, the inauguration ceremony was held at Mahasarakham University, with participation from 10 universities. Of these universities, eight are in Thailand. They are the University of Suan Dusit, University of Mahasarakham, University of Roi Et Rajabhat, University of Udon Thani Rajabhat, University of Rajabhat Mahasarakham, University of Kalasin, University of Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat, and University of Loei Rajabhat, among others. The two foreign university teams that participated in this competition were the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, and the University of Tanjungpura; Indonesia. The ceremony also featured a performance of traditional Thai dances.
The 8th "Silk Road Cup" Chinese Language and Culture Competition began on the morning of November 22, 2024, at Mahasarakham University. The competition consisted of three categories, starting with a quiz competition in which four contestants from the University of Kelaniya team participated. Next was the reading-aloud competition, in which all seven contestants from the University of Kelaniya participated. The final event was the talent competition, in which Vishaka Dewsara and Hansi Muthukumari presented a performance based on martial arts. The award ceremony took place in the evening, during which our university team received the Excellent Award and the Best Organizational Unit Award. This was followed by a dance performance showcasing Sri Lankan culture. After the ceremony, all the contestants were treated to dinner, where they had the opportunity to enjoy a Chinese hotpot.
On November 23rd in the morning, the Director of the Confucius Institute at Mahasarakham University took the University of Kelaniya team to visit the ROI ET Tower in Thailand. The invited guests, along with our university team and the Indonesian team, participated in the visit. That evening, the Director of Mahasarakham University and the lecturers hosted a dinner at the university, which was attended by all.
On November 24th, the University of Kelaniya team had the opportunity to go shopping in Thailand. They said they had a lot of fun that day. On November 25, the University of Kelaniya team visited the Confucius Institute at Mahasarakham University, where they met with its director and staff and expressed their gratitude for the warm hospitality. They then visited the Pramahatat Kaen Nakorn Buddhist Temple in Thailand. Following this, the team visited the Confucius Institute at Khon Kaen University and spoke with its director and staff. The University of Kelaniya team later arrived at Katunayake International Airport from Bangkok International Airport at midnight that same day.
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