University programs yield fruitful results

Students from Hubei University and Sao Paulo State University, wearing traditional Chinese-style outfits, pose for a photo in a Spring Festival celebration event in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Feb 5, last year. "After graduation, they can pursue further studies for a master's degree in international Chinese language education at Hubei University and undertake an internship at the Confucius Institute at the Sao Paulo State University," Deng said. "The reason for co-establishing the institute with Hubei University is because we realize that Brazilian students learning Chinese are key to nurturing a new generation of researchers and professionals who can contribute to strengthening bilateral relations between China and Brazil," said Luis Antonio Paulino, the Brazilian director of the Confucius Institute. Over the past years, the institute has provided Chinese language courses to more than 34,000 students, with nearly 1,000 students participating in Hubei University's Chinese language study and short-term exchange programs in-person or online. Ye Dan, Chinese director of the Confucius Institute, said Hubei University has sent over 180 international Chinese language teachers and volunteers to the institute over the years.