Unitech establishes institute

THE University of Technology has established a Confucius institute in partnership with the ChongQing Normal University of China.
Confucius institutes are public education partnerships between colleges and universities in China and counterparts around the world.
Unitech vice chancellor Dr Ora Renagi said the institute would promote the Chinese language and culture.
It will allow students to work for Chinese companies in PNG and obtain Chinese scholarships to study science and technology in China.
Talks on establishing the institute began in 2015.
All Government protocols were approved during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) leaders’ summit in 2018.
On Friday, Governor-General Grand Chief Sir Bob Dadae opened the institute in the presence of students and Government officials.
Deputy Prime Minister Sam Basil thanked China “for this vital – definitely strategic – investment”.
“With China’s growing importance to PNG in trade and in investments onshore, as well as offshore in many parts of the world, I welcome the opportunity provided by the Unitech Confucius Institute in language learning,” he said.
“I am looking forward to more sealing of deals between our two countries in Mandarin as mutual trade interests grow and Chinese investments increase in PNG.”
Dr Renagi said the programme started last October with about 200 students.
Chinese ambassador Xue Bing said the students would be friendship ambassadors of China and PNG.
“I’m sure through our joint effort and with a vision and support from the PNG side, the institute achieve success to benefit the local community.”