Confucius Institute

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  1. Tiger and panda heads made of flowers decorate the lobby of Jesse Hall as guests arrive for the 2011 launch of Mizzou’s Confucius Institute, the 83rd to open in the United States. Collaborating with universities all over the world, the institute aims to strengthen bonds between the United States and China.
  2. Handy Williamson Jr. holds up the official key to the MU Confucius Institute during a breakfast in the Reynolds Alumni Center after Chancellor Brady Deaton has presented it to Jin Li, the president of Shanghai Normal University. Photo by Rob Hill.
  3. During the Celebration Concert Ye Jin, an assistant professor in the College of Music at Shanghai Normal University and a director of the Chinese Folk Music Band, plays the pipa, a four-string lute with a pear-shaped body, also known as the Chinese guitar.
  4. Yichu Zhu, a sophomore in the College of Music at Shanghai Normal University, performs on the urheen, also known as the Chinese violin.
  5. Yang Liu, an assistant professor in the College of Music at Shanghai Normal University, demonstrates how to play one of many flutes he’s brought from China.
  6. The MU Graduate String Quartet performers include Joanna Metsker (violin), Ronaldo Sarmanho (violin), Busya Lugovier (viola) and Kevin High (cello).
  7. MU graduate student Skip Thompson plays a steel drum as part of the Confucius Institute's launch.
  8. Members of the audience walk on stage after the music performance to take a closer look at the steel drum.
  9. The Chinese Folk Music Band of Shanghai Normal University include (left to right): Yichu Zhu, Yang Liu, Ye Jin, Shiwei Huang and Jun Shan.
  10. Chancellor Brady Deaton enters Jesse Auditorium with a Chinese guest during the official opening ceremony for Mizzou’s Confucius Institute.
  11. The Confucius Institute opening ceremony includes a ribbon cutting, speeches and a Chinese folk music performance.
  12. Handy Williamson, vice provost for international programs, welcomes the audience to the opening ceremony.
  13. Chancellor Brady Deaton greets Deputy Counsel General Kun Lu before Lu speaks to the audience.
  14. Sen. Kit Bond makes a congratulatory speech during the ceremony.
  15. Jun Shan, a junior in the College of Music at Shanghai Normal University, plays the suona, an instrument that's similar to the European oboe.
  16. MU officials and Chinese delegates take part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
  17. Former Gov. Bob Holden helps Chancellor Brady Deaton and President Jin Li unveil a plaque commemorating the institute’s opening.
  18. Wen OuYang explains the meaning of a calligraphic scroll, a gift from President Jin Li to Chancellor Brady Deaton.

In April 2011 the University of Missouri opened a Confucius Institute on campus. The institute provides a platform to promote greater understanding between Missouri and China through Chinese language teaching and learning, resident Chinese teacher preparation, Missouri-China business relationships, and research on issues of mutual interest.

Mizzou's is one of 83 Confucius Institutes in the United States and 323 in the world. The first institute was opened at the University of Maryland in 2004.