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On June 21, 2023, the Confucius Institute at the University of Science and Technology Beijing and ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ (USTB-²ÝÁñÊÓƵ CI) successfully held their 9^th joint annual board meeting at the library of the Confucius Institute.

Attendees of the meeting were:

• Chair: Professor Gu Wei, Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute
• Professor Katie Normington (Vice Chancellor of ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ)
• Mr. Simon Bradbury (Pro-Vice Chancellor International of ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ)
• Ms. Jill Cowley (Interim Dean of ADH faculty)
• Dr. Louise Peacock (Chair of CI Management Board)
• Ms. Rita Tailor (Finance Partner of ADH Faculty)
• Ms. Wei Liu (CI Coordinator)
• USTB Executive Delegation Professor Wu Guilong (Chancellor of USTB)
• Mr. Sheng Jiawei (Director of the President's Office)
• Professor Zhang Dawei (Director of the International Affairs Office)
• Ms. He Jin (Director of Alumni Association)
• Professor Qian Wei (Dean of Institute of Cultural Heritage and History of Science & Technology)
• Ms. Zhang Qingyun (Project Manager of the International Affairs Office)

The meeting mainly reviewed the work of the Confucius Institute over 2022 and the 2023 work plan made by Professor Gu Wei, as well as the 2022 financial accounts summary and 2023 financial budget application. Professor Gu mentioned in the report that, after the pandemic, the two universities have gradually resumed senior leadership visits, and that academic exchange and project cooperation have also been strengthened.

The Confucius Institute has made steady progress in Mandarin teaching, with the total number of students increasing significantly compared with that of the previous year, and the quality of GCSE Chinese teaching continuously improving.

In addition, Professor Gu also highlighted the colourful cultural activities of the Confucius Institute. In 2022, the Confucius Institute held 105 cultural activities of different scales throughout the year, and successfully hosted the first Leicester Chinese Film Festival. "Confucius Institute Tai Chi" has gradually become a brand project that serves ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ students and local people. CI’s video won the "Special Jury Award" of the United Nations Chinese Language Day Video Competition and was broadcast on many media platforms at home and abroad.

In the 2023 work plan report, Professor GU proposed to further strengthen the cooperation and exchanges between the two universities, strive to enhance Mandarin teaching further, and improve the academic level of Mandarin teachers, as well as promote the construction of Mandarin teaching digital resources. She said CI would continue to carry out a variety of cultural activities to serve ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ and the local area and actively prepare for CI 10^th Anniversary Celebration.

The work of the Confucius Institute in 2022 was unanimously recognized by the board members of the two universities, and in-depth discussions were held on the work plan of the Confucius Institute for 2023 and the future cooperation plan of the two universities. The CI Board reached a consensus on further strengthening future cooperation and exchanges and holding a Joint Degree Show. They agreed to establish academic exchange mechanisms to promote research cooperation, staff exchange and student exchange programs. The Board also approved the financial accounts for 2022 and the financial budget for 2023.

Before the end of the meeting, Mr. Simon Bradbury and Professor Zhang Dawei made concluding remarks. They expressed their recognition of CI’s work and its important role, as well as their willingness to offer strong help and support to the development of Confucius Institutes. They look forward to further collaboration and exchanges between the two universities through the platform of CI.

At the end of the meeting, the two universities exchanged gifts, and the 9th USTB-²ÝÁñÊÓƵ CI Annual Board Meeting ended in a cordial and friendly atmosphere.