Confucius Institute opens at Troy University

Troy University opened a non-profit institute Friday aimed at promoting commerce and cultural exchange with the People’s Republic of China.

The Confucius Institute at Troy University is part of a worldwide network of 200 institutions dedicated to Chinese language education, and cultural and business exchange with China.

University officials and visiting Chinese education and cultural officials held a dedication ceremony at the Troy campus.

“My favorite Chinese proverb states: ‘a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.’ Today, Troy University takes an important step in our journey toward building the best Confucius Institute in the United States,” Troy Chancellor Jack Hawkins said in a press release. “The road is long but I have no doubt that, working together, we will reach our destination.”

Three instructors at Troy’s Confucius Institute are teaching a cohort of about 30 students Chinese language, culture, arts and general Asian studies. The institute is also sponsoring several cultural events on campus.

The institute is funded by a $100,000 grant from Hanban (the Office of Chinese Language Council International) and matching funds from Troy. It will eventually be housed in the soon-to-be renovated Bibb Graves Hall.

Clif Lusk, a Troy spokesman, said in an e-mail that over time the university hopes to expand the number of visiting professors teaching at the institute, and use the institute to recruit Chinese business to Alabama.

Troy has increased its outreach to China in recent years. As of fall 2008, there were 291 students at Troy from the People’s Republic of China.

This dovetails with a growing economic partnership between Alabama and China.

According to Troy’s Center for International Business and Economic Development, China ranks as the state’s fifth largest export market. About 475-500 Alabama companies have partnership possibilities with Chinese counterparts.