August 3, 2021 – Confucius Institute of Khon Kaen University held an official online opening ceremony of the “Center for Training Thai Chinese Language Teacher, Confucius Institute, Khon Kaen University” (herein called the “Center”), and the first “Advanced Research Training Program for Chinese Language Teachers in Thai Regions”. The founding of the “Center” is part of the celebration of the 15th Anniversary of Confucius Institute of Khon Kaen University. To welcome the new era of Chinese Language Teacher Training, the Center will hold on to the principle of “Quality Improvement, Enhancing Efficiency, Reform and Development”.
The opening ceremony was honored to have Dr. Suthep Kaensanthia, Secretary of Vocational Education Committee; HE Feng Junying, Minister Counsellor, Embassy of China in Thailand; HE Liao Junyun, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China to Khon Kaen; Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University; Professor Chen Shijian, Vice Chancellor of Southwest University; Professor Liu xun from Beijing University of Languages and Cultures; Professor Wang Baohua from Huanan Teacher University; conveying the congratulating addresses. Ajarn Praiwan Kanyapan, was the representative of teachers and lecturers from the Confucius Institute who presented a reporting speech. Over 200 students and lecturers from Confucius Institute, Khon Kaen University and trainees from many universities attended the online opening ceremony of the “Center”.
Dr. Suthep Kaensanthia, Secretary of Vocational Education Committee explained that the Confucius Institute of Khon Kaen University joined many departments of the Ministry of Education and has offered Chinese language teacher training for a long time. The institute is experienced in this regard. The founding of the “Center” is one step forward of the training at the institution, which has been ongoing systematically and professionally.
HE Feng Junying, Minister Counsellor, Embassy of China in Thailand expressed his appreciation of the successful 15 years of the Confucius Institute of Khon Kaen University in Chinese language teaching, Chinese language proficiency test administration, research in Chinese language, training in community service for those having Chinese language competency. It is hoped that the Confucius Institute of Khon Kaen University will be working towards new approaches for training Thai teachers who teach Chinese language.
HE Liao Junyun, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China to Khon Kaen pointed out the close relationships between the Confucius Institute of Khon Kaen University and over 100 primary, secondary schools and universities in the Northeast of Thailand. For Thai Chinese language teachers, the Confucius Institute of Khon Kaen University is not only an “experience training camp” for Chinese culture, but is in fact a “gas station” that increases knowledge and competency in teaching and research. The founding of the Center is an important developmental work of the Confucius Institute of Khon Kaen University and is also good news for Thai teachers who teach Chinese language.
Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University said that under Covid-19 pandemic. Thailand is in need of training for local teachers who teach Chinese language in regional schools. The “Center”, which is founded now is integrating the teaching, practicing, teacher development, and planning future occupation.
Professor Chen Shijian, Vice Chancellor of Southwest University said that this occasion also marks another historical event, and is also the 15th anniversary of the Confucius Institute of Khon Kaen University. The foundation of the “Center” is an important step of the institute. He wanted to be the representative who confirmed the success of the Confucius Institute of Khon Kaen University in Chinese language education in Thailand, especially in training Thai teachers to teach Chinese. At the same time, the Confucius Institute of Khon Kaen University also opens a new paradigm in quality development and efficiency increase in training Thai Chinese language teachers.
Professor Liu xun from Beijing University of Languages and Cultures said that the Confucius Institute of Khon Kaen University has continuously developed all through the 15 years and has well succeeded in training Thai teachers to teach Chinese in the locality. The founding of the “Center” is in accordance with the means in educational development of Chinese language education and reflects the leadership and innovation of the Confucius Institute of Khon Kaen University, as the prototype Confucius institute at the world level.
Professor Wang Baohua from Huanan Teacher University added that the Confucius Institute of Khon Kaen University has been training Thai teachers to teach Chinese language in the region. This is an important role in instruction and research. The institute is also an important venue for the exchange activities between Thailand and China. It is hoped that the “Center” will achieve its goal and will not stop developing.
Ajarn Praiwan Kanyapan, the representative of teachers and lecturers from the Confucius Institute thanked the Confucius Institute of Khon Kaen University for the assistance in training teachers of Chinese language for over 15 years. There are many who received knowledge and benefits from the training. Chinese language is important nowadays as it “opens the gate to new lifestyle”.
Assoc. Prof. Geng jun, Director of the Confucius Institute of Khon Kaen University (China) reported about the founding of the “Center” by first explaining the success over the 15 years of the Confucius Institute of Khon Kaen University. The founding of the “Center” shows the strong intention of the Confucius Institute of Khon Kaen University. It demonstrates that the “Center” has systematic Chinese language classrooms, and has provided advanced Chinese language instruction, arranged seminars on research, workshops on Chinese language teaching, constructed programs, tests and testing, certificate training, research project development, published journals, etc., and promoted development in other areas. The institute is dedicated to build the “One system, three plans” to make the teacher training match learners of all levels. At the same time, lecturers and staff have to integrate their knowledge and experiences into the system of the Confucius Institute of Thailand and intensively develop the classrooms and innovation in order to build identity of the Chinese language teacher training programs of the Confucius Institute of Khon Kaen University.
Asst. Prof. Uthaiwan Danvivath, Ph.D., Director of the Confucius Institute of Khon Kaen University (Thailand) said she hoped that the “Center” will be the direct channel to professionally and efficiently provide services to Thai teachers of Chinese language. The “Center” will try to develop programs for training continuously and effectively so that the teachers of Chinese language will be able to improve their professional skills and academic research for promotion of Chinese language education in Thailand.
In the afternoon of August 3, 2021, the Confucius Institute of Khon Kaen University officially opened the “Advanced Research Training Program for Chinese Language Teachers in Thai Regions”. Professor Liu xun from Beijing University of Languages and Cultures honored the session by giving an online special talk, which was attended by over 500 teachers of Chinese language and school pupils. In addition, the afternoon session featured an online seminar where over 200 participants joined in exchanging knowledge and understandings of many aspects. The seminar featured talks by well-known key speakers.
The “Advanced Research Training Program for Chinese Language Teachers in Thai Regions” include activities in instruction and research that certifies attendants for attendance issued by the “Center”. Those awarded outstanding research outcomes are entitled to receive scholarships from the research project of the Confucius Institute of Khon Kaen University.
News / Photos: Confucius Institute of Khon Kaen University
