The Grand Opening Ceremony of Tourism Confucius Institute (TCI) Udayana University

TCI Udayana University held "The Grand Opening Ceremony of Tourism Confucius Institute (TCI) Udayana University" which was held offline in the Nusantara Room, Agrokomplek Building, Sudirman University, Udayana University and online, Thursday (8/4/2021). The event was attended by the Deputy Governor of Bali Province who on this occasion was represented by Assistant I of the Regional Secretariat for the Province of Bali, Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Denpasar (Mr. Zhu Xinglong), Rector of Nanchang University, Rector of Nanchang Normal University, Chair of the Senate, Rector and Vice Rector of Udayana University, Director of Indonesian Mandarin Language Centers throughout Indonesia, Director of Chinese Language Centers throughout Indonesia, representatives of the Bali Provincial Tourism Office, representatives of the Bali Provincial Education and Culture Office, and Deans at Udayana University.

Rector of Unud Prof. A.A Raka Sudewi in his speech conveyed that in the era of globalization, the main challenge faced by mankind is how to increase cross-cultural understanding between nations in the world. One of the ways to promote understanding and friendship among the countries of the world is cross-cultural exchange and cooperation. Through dialogue, we will deepen the sense of tolerance between countries in the fields of politics, economy, culture, language and tourism. To answer this challenge, Udayana University has signed an MoU between Hanban as the Confucius Institute Headquarters in Beijing-China and Udayana University in Indonesia for the establishment of the Tourism Confucius Institute (TCI) at Udayana University on December 10, 2019.

The signing of the MoU was followed up by the signing of the "Implementation Agreement" on March 14, 2020 between Nanchang University and Nanchang Normal University located in Jiangxi Province and Udayana University for the establishment of the Tourism Confucius Institute (TCI). The establishment of TCI at Udayana University is in line with the common interest of encouraging a sense of tolerance between Indonesia and the People's Republic of China (PRC) with particularities in the field of tourism and cultural acculturation between Bali (Indonesia) and China. The Chancellor hopes that the establishment of TCI at Udayana University will become a cultural bridge to strengthen the friendship between Indonesia and China.

Rector of Nanchang University Mr. Zhou Chuangbing on this occasion said that Nanchang University would collaborate with Udayana University and all Chinese international education leaders in various fields such as student exchanges, undergraduate visits, and joint construction of scientific disciplines. The Chancellor of Nanchang University hopes that TCI Unud will be successful and special, and that the friendship between Indonesia and China will last.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor of Bali in his remarks read by Assistant I of the Bali Provincial Secretariat I Gede Indra Dewa Putra, S.E., M.M. welcomes the implementation of this event, because with this an education-based institution has been inaugurated as a result of the collaboration between Udayana University and Nanchang University and Nanchang Nomo University, which will certainly be a place to learn Mandarin, get to know Chinese culture, economic progress, tourism, and so on. etc. The Deputy Governor also highly appreciates the inauguration of the Udayana University Tourism Confucius Institute (TCI), and hopes that the planned programs and activities can run immediately, because during this pandemic it is very appropriate to fill oneself by increasing knowledge and increasing one's capabilities, so that when tourism in Bali re-opened, we are better equipped with quality and professional human resources to welcome tourists from China in particular.

The Chinese Consul General in Denpasar, Zhu Xinglong, said that the University as a center for studying knowledge and human resource development has an important role in the economic development of a country, language is also a cultural representative, a bridge of communication and a link between nations. The consul supports young Indonesians to learn Chinese and understand Chinese culture and supports the universities of the two countries to make the language to foster more cultural exchanges between China and Indonesia. More than 10 thousand Indonesian students have studied in China and it is the second largest study destination for Indonesia. Cooperation to establish TCI is the right thing and this is the eighth and first on the theme of tourism. The Consul hopes that TCI Unud will open a window for Indonesian students, especially Balinese, to understand the culture of Chinese society and become a leading Confucius Institute and contribute to the economy of the local community.

On this occasion, a signing of the TCI inscription at Udayana University was also carried out by the Chinese Consul General Denpasar with the Chancellor of Udayana University and cutting the ribbon as a sign of the inauguration of the TCI office of Udayana University.