May 9, 2015, five Confucius Institutes cooperating with Shanghai University met in Istanbul, to discuss the academic research and exchange of CIs. The members include: University of Kentucky, University College Cork, University of Prince Songkla at Phuket, and University of Bahrain. Provost of Boğaziçi University, Prof. Dr. Ali Tekcan, welcomed the guests. President of Shanghai University, Prof. Dr. Hongjie Luo, had an opening speech.

Mr. Jiankang Wang introduced one-year’s development of Confucius Institute at University of Bahrain, the youngest one among the five. Mr. Yongbin Xia presented Cork’s experience on volunteer training and management. Assoc. Prof. Huaiwei Kan shared their development in Thailand, with tourism Chinese as a special focus. Dr. Huajing Maske had a presentation on teaching Chinese through art in US.

Dr. Yi Liu shared CIBU’s work on academic research and exchange. He argued that Confucius Institute should mean more than language teaching and cultural activities, and it should be part of the university life. Understanding and research should be mutual. It echoed a hot discussion of participants. Especially after a ten-year’s development, CIs should play a more important role in academic exchange and cooperation.
With a common partner, the directors are pleased to know each other’s experience from a different country and culture. And they are expecting the next time’s meeting for exchange and sharing.