CI - News

The Confucius Institute of the University of Kelaniya has emerged as the champion at the 23rd “Chinese Bridge” Competition for Foreign College Students-Sri Lanka Final Round 2024 which was organized by the University of Colombo and was held for two consecutive days, on the 27th of May and 28th of May at the University of Colombo and Sri Lanka Foundation Institute accordingly. Under the theme of “One World – One Family “the Overall Competition consisted of a Written Test that measures the Chinese Language and Cultural Knowledge, the General Knowledge of the Contestants, the Speech Contest, and finally the Talent Contest. The Written Test and the Speech Contest were held on the 27th of May and the Talent Contest and the Awarding Ceremony were held on the 28th of May 2024.

Twelve Chinese Language Learning Selected undergraduates from the Preliminary Round held at the University of Kelaniya on the 25th of March 2024, Eleven Chinese Language-learning undergraduates from the University of Colombo, and Ten Chinese Language Learning undergraduates from the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka participated in the competition and it was nothing but tough.

Dr. D.A.N.S. Y Dassanayake, Senior Lecturer at the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, Dr. Wang Fei the Chinese Director of the Lumbini Confucius Classroom, Dr. S. Nimali Priyangika, Senior Lecturer at the Buddhist and Pali University, Associate Professor Ma Zhongwu, Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Colombo, Dr. Jani Samarakoon, Sri Lankan Co-Director, Confucius Institute at the University of Kelaniya, Ms. Cheng Cuiqin, Vice President of the Sri Lanka Overseas Chinese Association was the Judge Board of Members of evaluating the Speech Contest.

Mr. He Zhenhai, Program Manager at Chinese Cultural Center, Sri Lanka, Dr. Wu Hongyuan, Chinese Director of Confucius Institute, University of Kelaniya, Professor Anutaradevi Vidyalankara, Sri Lankan Director of Confucius Institute, University of Colombo, Associate Professor Zhu Song, Chinese Director of Confucius Classroom, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, Associate Professor Zhang Min, Chinese Teacher, Bandaranaike International Research Center, Mr. J.G. Amarajeewa, Sri Lankan Director of Lumbini Confucius Classroom were the Judge Board Members of the Talent Contest.

After a very intense and tough competition, the first, second, and third-place winners of the Written Test, Speech, and Talent Contest were chosen according to the higher marks. As well as the second runner-up, first runner-up, and the championship of overall rounds were selected after considering the higher points given by the judge board.

The Awarding Ceremony was held on the 28th of May 2024 at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute Auditorium from 3.30 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. Ms. Ji Lili, the Counsellor of the Embassy of China in Sri Lanka and Senior Professor (Chair) H.D Karunarathne, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo were the Chief Guest of this ceremony. Furthermore, the lecturers of the University of Colombo and the Other Chinese guests from the Chinese Cultural Centre, Sri Lanka Overseas Chinese Association, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, etc. attended the 23rd “Chinese Bridge” Competition for Foreign College Students-Sri Lanka Final Round 2024 Award Ceremony.

Hansi Muthukumari, and Buddima Patali, in Chinese Language Honors Degree Second Year, and Asha Prabodhani Bandara, R. Shashika Subashini, H. P. Shehani Madhumali in Chinese Language Honors Degree Third Year won the Excellent Prizes from sixteen Excellent Prizes. Last but not least, in the Speech Contest, Gihara Kasundie Amarasena, in Chinese Language Honors Degree Second Year, and H.M. Sithara Maduwanthi Herath, Chinese Language Honors Degree Third Year won the Third and Second Prizes respectively. Madusha Prathibhani Vidyavansha, in Chinese Language Honors Degree Second Year, H.M. Sithara Maduwanthi Herath, in Chinese Language Honors Degree Third Year, and B. V. Tarindi Sathsarani in Chinese Language Honors Degree Second Year won the third prize in the Talent Competition.

It is a special incident that our university undergraduates scored the highest marks in the written test and won all the first, second, and third places.

R.L. Jayani Chinthani Rajapaksha, in Chinese Language Honors Degree Second Year, H.M. Sithara Maduwanthi Herath and Piyumali Pathirana in Chinese Language Honors Degree Third Year won first place and second place in the Written Test Respectively. Moreover, B. V. Tarindi Sathsarani, Gihara Kasundie Amarasena, Visaka Dewsarani Kuruneru, in the Second Year of their Chinese Language Honors Degree, won Third Place in the Written Test.

Apart from all, H.M. Sithara Maduwanthi Herath, from Chinese Honors Degree Third Year at UOK, Gihara Kasundie Amarasena, from Chinese Honors Degree in Second Year at UOK, Piyumali Pathirana, from Chinese Honors Degree in Third Year at UOK won the Runner up, First Runner up and the Second Runner up respectively surpassing 33 Contestants. It’s proud to say that, since 2011, the Chinese Bridge Competition has been conducted, and since the beginning University of Kelaniya has had a record in securing the Championship up to now.

Amid many obstacles and difficulties, the Chinese Language learning students managed to bring honor to the University of Kelaniya through this victory. Also, this marked a new milestone in China-Sri Lanka educational relations. Through this victory, amid many obstacles and difficulties, the Chinese Language learning students managed to bring honor to the University of Kelaniya. Also, this marked a new milestone in China-Sri Lanka educational relations.

H.M Sitara Madhuwanti Herath, who won the Championship in the 23rd Chinese Bridge Competition, is supposed to visit China to participate in the 23rd ‘Chinese Bridge’ World Championship which will be held soon. Gihara Kasundi, who won Second Place in the Chinese Bridge competition, is supposed to embark on China to watch the 23rd ‘Chinese Bridge’ World Championship Competition and join a Cultural Tour as well.

 

The Chinese Proficiency Test, which is also known as HSK was held on the 22nd of June 2024 for the third time since the 10th Of December. This examination was held at a time when the activities of the university were disrupted due to the strike of non-academic staff.

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of Dr. Jani Samarakoon, the former Co-Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Kelaniya, and the continuous support of Senior Prof. Nilanthi De Silva, the Vice-Chancellor at the University of Kelaniya, finally 247 number of candidates were able to appear for the HSK Examination on the 22nd of June 2024.

Although the Mock examination could not be held as same this time, under the guidance of the invigilators and the other academic staff, all the candidates were able to face the exam without encountering any problems.

We were not encouraged to hold the HSK Examination by the outside circumstances. At the same time, postponing the HSK Examination was not a solution in this situation because there were so many candidates from various Districts of Sri Lanka and there were a few candidates who lived abroad and especially came to Sri Lanka to take the Exam.

But overcoming many obstacles and facing so many disappointments, and confusions, it is proud to announce that the Confucius Institute of UOK can hold the exam on the exact scheduled date without postponing the Examination. The HSK Examination on the 22nd of June 2024 was conducted with the support of only the Academic staff.

This situation was a life lesson for all of us – “功夫不负有心人” “One should not give up until one succeeds”.

The results of the exam candidates are expected to be received by the End of this month. We wish all the candidates to score the best.

The English and Foreign Languages Branch of the Ministry of Education has commenced the “Foreign Language Teacher Professional Development Programme,” a series continuous of workshops for in-service foreign language teachers in collaboration with the National Institute of Education under the General Education Modernization Project. Therefore, Ven. Prof. Nadalagamuwe Dhammadinna Thero, Head of the Department of Modern Languages at the University of Kelaniya, Dr. Jani Samarakoon, Co-Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Kelaniya and Assoc. Prof. Sun Cuibi, a Chinese Lecturer at the Confucius Institute at the University of Kelaniya and Ms. R.M.S.P Rathnayake, Teacher at Lakdas de Mal College at Kurunegala was invited as a guest lecturer in this training programme as well. On both the 30th of May and 31st of May 2024, the training programme was conducted in the National Institute of Education of Sri Lanka for newly appointed 53 Chinese Language teachers from various Districts.

On the 30th of May 2024, starting the training lectures, Ven. Prof. Nadalagamuwe Dhammadinna Thero lectured on the Theory of Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language. Later after the Tea Break, Dr. Jani Samarakoon, gave a lecture on what Chinese Language is and introduced the knowledge of Chinese Pinyin systematically. Furthermore, she explained the contents of the current Chinese textbook "Contemporary Chinese," which is used by Sri Lankan middle school students the use of workbooks, and the analysis of the content of the syllabus, the system of evaluation and the criteria, so that new teachers can fully understand the teaching materials, class arrangement, the system of evaluation and so on.

Assoc. Prof. Sun Cuibi gave a lecture on "Chinese Teaching Methods and Techniques." In the lecture, she eagerly combined the latest education theories with Chinese teaching methods and techniques to explain what is Chinese Language teaching, elements of Chinese language teaching, comprehensive courses and other aspects to the training teachers. Moreover, she analyzed the difficulties of Sri Lankan students in learning Chinese and practically analyzed it’s causes, and suggested practical solutions. After the lunch break, Ms. R.M.S.P Rathnayake, explained the problems that can be faced by the foreign language teachers on the second training day, which was on the 31st of May 2024. 

The lecturers have been prepared a few Class Activities. The Teachers actively participated for the Class Activities and Games. After the training sessions, the newly appointed teachers didn’t forget to express their thoughts regarding the training lecture sessions.

“Your rich knowledge, professional explanation and patient guidance made us gain a lot in this short two days. Every class is wonderful, not only broaden our horizons, but also inspire our enthusiasm for learning.  

At the sametime, Ms. Vindya Wettasinghe, a teacher at Sripalee College, Horana also stated, “I have attended various teacher trainings. These two days of Chinese teacher training for me, the harvest is very good, I learned a lot of new knowledge and teaching methods. Special thanks to the teachers' hard work and patient guidance, so that I have a significant improvement in teaching ability and professionalism.”

Ms. Dinukshi Udagedara, from Rangiri Dambulla National School declared “This training is really very useful. We got a lot of things that are very important for us as new teachers in the teaching process through this training. Through this training, we got the motivation to do new things to promote Chinese language in school”.

The greatest asset of a school is the personality of the teacher. Therefore, the teacher training programs really helps elevate the whole teaching process.

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.

The Undergraduates' Talent Competition organized by the Confucius Institute at the University of Kelaniya was held on the 25th of March 2024 at the Confucius Institute Classroom. About thirty undergraduates who are studying Chinese at the University participated in this competition.

The contestants had to successfully compete in both speech and talent competitions to win the competition. Ms. Yan Xinyu, the teacher from Elizabeth Moir School, Mr.He Zhenhai, the program manager at the Chinese Cultural Centre in Sri Lanka, Assoc.Prof.Zhang Min at Bandaranaike Center for International Studies as well as Assoc.Prof.Sun Cuibi at the Confucius Institute at the University of Kelaniya and Ms.Zhu Lin at the Confucius Institute at the University of Kelaniya participated in this event as the Judge Board Members.

The competition consisted of two parts called Speech and talent Competition. Under the theme of “One Sky, One Family”, the contestants presented very meaningful speeches. Also, the talent competition consisted of beautiful traditional Chinese dance, singing and Wushu elements. One First prize, three first runners-ups, six second runner-ups, and ten merit awards winners were been selected by Judge Board. The Awards were presented to the Winners on the 1st of April 2024 at K14 Auditorium. Dr.Sudath Senarath,the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Ven. Prof. Nadalagamuwe Dhammadinna Thero, the Head of the Department of the Modern Languages attended this ceremony as the Chief Guests.

Visaka Dewsara from Chinese Special second year won the first place, Piumali Pathirana,Special Third year in Chinese language, Gihara Amarasena and Sitara Madhuwanti, Special Second year in Chinese language, won second place respectively. Buddhima Patali, Hansi Muthukumari, Shashika Subhashini, Madusha Prathibani, Asha Bandara and Jayani Chinthani won the third prizers.B.V Tharindi Sathsarani, Shehani Madhumali, Pabasara Sewwandi Bandara, Minoli Madhushani, Amila Madhushan, K.K.V.P Maduhanshini, Sharmila Lasanthi, Sanduni Ishara, Viraj Sanjaya and Nethmi Tharushika won the Merit Awards. We heartily congratulate them all.
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