By Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – UB and China are collaborating to establish a Confucius institute in Buffalo to promote the Chinese language and culture.
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There are about fifty Confucius institutes all over the country and hundreds worldwide. The programs are primarily funded by the Chinese government and staffed with Chinese teachers. The goal is to help Western cultures better understand the largest Asian culture through the educational exchange.
Kristin Stapleton is director of Asian Studies at UB. She says understanding China's influence worldwide is of growing importance.
UB will hire an executive director to administer the program as a community outreach. Beginning next fall, teachers from China will come over for one year terms, and be rotated back home as new teachers are sent to Buffalo. They will be assigned to various public schools throughout western new york that want to offer Chinese language courses. Stapleton says they expect a big demand.
Grand Island, Williamsville and Newfane are among schools that have expressed interest so far. Chinese teachers might eventually be added to the program who could also offer instruction in dance, art and Chinese culture. Stapleton says the cost of the program to UB will be roughly $60,000 for the executive director. The cost to China is expected to run in the six figures.