News Releases

Bridging Cultures: UWI St. Augustine’s Confucius Institute Reopens to Foster Global Exchange

For Release Upon Receipt - February 24, 2025

St. Augustine


 St. Augustine, February 24, 2025 – The campus marked a significant milestone with the official re-signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between The University of the West Indies (The UWI), China Agricultural University (CAU) and the Chinese International Education Foundation (CIEF), coinciding with the highly anticipated reopening of the Confucius Institute on 5 March 2025  at the Centre for Language Learning, The UWI St. Augustine Campus.

 Originally established on October 23, 2013, the Confucius Institute has played a key role in introducing Mandarin language education and fostering a deeper cultural exchange between Trinidad and Tobago and China. Following the MOU signing, Confucius Institute Directors Dr. Nicole Roberts (Local Director) and Dr. Xiufeng Chen (Chinese Director) met with Chargé d'Affaires Yang Han, Head of the Political Division Liu Pengfei, and First Secretary Zhou Congyu at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China. Discussions centered on the Institute’s future plans, reinforcing its role as a driver of academic and economic cooperation in the region.

 With the Confucius Institute fully operational, in the coming months the Confucius Institute is set to offer Mandarin language education, cultural workshops, study tours for students and professionals, and the gradual reintroduction of the Hanyu Shuiping Kaosh (HSK) Chinese Language Proficiency exams. Additionally, the public can look forward to contests celebrating Chinese language and culture, as well as consultation services on China-related topics.

 The Institute will also organise cultural activities for the general public (requests can be made here: https://form.jotform.com/250404625582858)

For more information, email STA-Confucius@uwi.edu or follow the Institute on Instagram (@confuciusuwitt) and Facebook (Confucius.UWI).

 CI Directors meet embassy officials – From left: Mr. Liu Pengfei (Head of the Political Division, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China), Mr. Yang Han (Chargé d'Affaires, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China), Dr. Nicole Roberts (Local Director, CI), Dr. Xiufeng Chen (Chinese Director, CI), and Ms. Zhou Congyu (First Secretary, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China).

About The University of the West Indies

 The University of the West Indies (The UWI) is the Caribbean’s premier higher education institution and one of only two regional universities in the world. With five campuses across the English-speaking Caribbean and global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe, The UWI continues to be a beacon of academic excellence, research innovation, and societal impact. Consistently ranked among the world’s best by Times Higher Education (THE), The UWI is a global leader in addressing critical challenges, including climate change, sustainability, and development.

 As The UWI St. Augustine Campus celebrates its 65th anniversary in 2025 under the theme Beyond 65: From the Caribbean, For the World, it pays tribute to its Caribbean roots while highlighting its contributions to solving global challenges. This milestone underscores the campus's significant role in producing ground-breaking research and fostering talent that transcends regional boundaries to shape a better world. The UWI St. Augustine’s researchers, academics, and graduates continue to make an international impact, exemplifying the university’s mission to serve the region while influencing the world.

 Learn more at www.uwi.edu  

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