(Bandar Seri Begawan 21st) — Recently, a four-member delegation from the Institute of International Relations / Institute of Overseas Chinese Studies of Jinan University, China, visited Chung Hwa Middle School, Brunei to engage in in-depth discussions on topics such as Chinese language education, cultural exchange, and academic cooperation.
The purpose of this visit was to strengthen friendly relations between the two schools and promote pragmatic cooperation in the field of Chinese language education. The delegation from Jinan University consisted of experts and scholars in relevant fields at the institute: Distinguished Professor Li Minghuan, Associate Professor Zhang Beiyu, Associate Researcher Pan Yue, and Lecturer Hai Lu.
At 9:30 a.m. on January 15th this year, the Jinan University delegation arrived at Chung Hwa, where they were warmly received by the school's Chairman of the Board, Yang Dezhen, Deputy Secretary to the Board Ke Wenwei, Deputy Treasurer Lin Dengyuan, Principal Xu Yuelan, Assistant Principals Chen Meidian, Shen Manling, Zheng Xiuying, and Acting Assistant Principal Su Qiaohan, among other school leaders. Both sides held talks and an exchange in a friendly and harmonious atmosphere.
Chairman Yang Dezhen extended a warm welcome to the Jinan University delegation and introduced the history of Chung Hwa Middle School, the current state of Chinese language education, and its future plans. Principal Xu Yuelan provided a detailed introduction to the school's "trilingual balanced, five-educations integrated" teaching system, achievements in Chinese cultural heritage, and international exchanges and cooperation.
On the day of the visit, Chairman Yang Dezhen remarked in his welcome speech that Jinan University is renowned as the "topmost institution for overseas Chinese" and enjoys a stellar reputation in the fields of Overseas Chinese Studies, International Relations, and China Studies. This visit by the delegation to undertake academic exchange and collaborative research marks an important milestone in the cooperation between the two schools, bringing advanced academic ideas and invaluable opportunities for exchange, and is certain to inject new vitality into Chinese language education and cultural research in Brunei.
Chairman Yang stated that as a key base for Chinese language education in the country, Chung Hwa Middle School has always committed itself to the inheritance of Chinese culture and to nurturing talent with both a global vision and a strong sense of national identity. Over the years, the school has adhered to the mission of "balanced trilingual education, integrated five-fold cultivation," striving to provide quality Chinese language education for students, and actively pursuing cooperation with educational institutions at home and abroad.
Yang Dezhen revealed that Chung Hwa has maintained close ties with Jinan University for a long time. As early as 2011, three outstanding graduates of the school chose to pursue further studies at Jinan University. Now, having successfully completed their studies with honors, they have returned to teach at their alma mater, bringing back knowledge and perspectives acquired at one of China's top institutions to contribute to the cause of Chinese education in Brunei.
Prof. Li Minghuan, Distinguished Professor at the Institute of International Relations / Institute of Overseas Chinese Studies at Jinan University, noted that as a famous higher education institution for overseas Chinese, Jinan University has long been dedicated to overseas Chinese language education and overseas Chinese studies, and shares highly compatible philosophies and talent cultivation goals with Chung Hwa Middle School. This visit is a concrete action to implement previously reached consensus between the two parties, and it is hoped that through on-site exchanges, both sides can better understand the actual needs of Chinese language education in Brunei and explore cooperation opportunities in areas such as teacher training, student exchanges, and academic research.
During the discussion, the two sides held in-depth talks on topics such as the Chinese language curriculum, choice of teaching materials, teacher development, and student cultural exchanges. Jinan University scholars shared their experiences in research on overseas Chinese language education and the promotion of international Chinese education, and proposed specific suggestions for enhancing cooperation in academic exchange, teacher and student visits, further study programs, and joint research between the two schools. Chung Hwa Middle School expressed hopes to leverage Jinan University’s academic resources and platform advantages to further enhance its level of Chinese language education and internationalized school capabilities.
On the same day, after the meeting in the Zhao Ying Room, the Jinan University delegation, accompanied by Chairman Yang Dezhen and Principal Xu Yuelan, toured the school campus, teaching facilities, and the Tian Zhen Chen Library, gaining first-hand knowledge of the school's educational conditions and teaching accomplishments. Both sides stated that they would use this visit as an opportunity to establish even closer ties, jointly promote the development of Chinese language education in Brunei, and make positive contributions to promoting cultural and educational exchanges and cooperation between China and Brunei.
This visit is a key initiative by the Institute of International Relations / Institute of Overseas Chinese Studies at Jinan University to deepen cooperation with educational institutions in Southeast Asia, and also a concrete practice in implementing the "Belt and Road" educational action plan.