Confucius Institute

About

The Confucius Institute (CI) programme at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) promotes mutual understanding between South Africa and China through educational, cultural, and people-to-people exchanges.

The Confucius Institute and its host universities create platforms for communities across the country to engage in language and cultural exposures. Confucius Institute also highlights the importance of global education and initiates the establishment of lifelong communities for students and participants worldwide.

Confucius Institute is an international cooperation programme under the International Relations Office of UWC. The Agreement was signed by UWC, Zhejiang Normal University and Zhejiang Chinese Medical University and was officially launched in 2019.  

Our Vision

To be a bridge to continue the friendship, respect and cooperation between China and South Africa.

Our Mission

To promote and teach Chinese culture and language around the world. Confucius Institute develops Chinese language courses, trains teachers, holds the HSK Examination (Chinese proficiency test), hosts cultural and artistic presentations, and provides information about contemporary China.

Services Provided

Chinese Language

Contact our Chinese Teacher to start your lessons today! Learning Chinese is as easy as one, two and three!

Mrs Ling Lin  
Email: llin@uwc.ac.za 

Ms Wilma Hugo
Email: whugo@uwc.ac.za 
 

• Classical Culture of China 
• Understanding of China and Africa  
• Business Chinese 
• Medicine Chinese 
• HSK Certificate: Youth Chinese Test, Chinese level test, Business Chinese Test
• TCSOL (Certificate)

Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture

Dr Yang is our Chinese Medicine and Acupuncturist. She facilitates the Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture course and practises with the School of Natural Medicine. She also teaches Taiji courses at Confucius Institute.  

For more information related to the Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture course and modules, please directly contact Dr Ma Xuesheng, School of Nature Medicine, Community and Health Science Faculty, UWC. 

Dr Hang Yang
Email: hyang@uwc.ac.za 

Dr Xuesheng Ma (School of Natural Medicine)
Email: xma@uwc.ac.za 

Arts Exhibition

At Confucius Institute we take pride in the personalised, high-quality service we offer to all of our exceptional clients, including Arts Exhibition, traditional cultural shows and so on. Contact Dr Zeng for our latest Arts Exhibition. 

Dr Benjamin Zeng 
Email: lzeng@uwc.ac.za

Photography

Ever wondered how to capture that moment of beauty? Dr Zeng can show you how to capture and edit using the latest software! Regardless of your camera setup, Dr Zeng will definitely be able to up your photography skills. 

Dr Benjamin Zeng 
Email: lzeng@uwc.ac.za

Taichi & Public Health

Who said intense exercises are most beneficial? Follow Dr Yang through a series of different Taichi styles to relax and strengthen your body. 

Dr Yang hosts a Taichi course every Thursday afternoon from 15:30-16:30 (during the academic calendar) in front of B block.

Dr Hang Yang
Email: hyang@uwc.ac.za

Scholarships 

CI works together with our partner universities to provide various scholarships to UWC students, research fellows and staff. 
MOFCOM Scholarship-CSC Program (2022 enrollment guide) - 8 March 2022
2022 International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship - 9 March 2022
South Africa-China Health Science Scholarship 2022 (open from May 2022)

Culture Programme & Events 

Since 2018, CI have planned and organised annual students culture exchange and staff training programmes between South Africa and China. Once the COVID-19 pandemic is relaxed and international travel is open, the exchange programme will be called for application. The previous year's programme can be found in the following link.  

• 2018 FCHS students' Internship Tour 
• 2021 Virtual Culture Exchange Programme
• 2022 Chinese Concert (coming) 
• 2022 Arts Exhibition - Long walk to freedom (coming)

People

 

Dr Liren (Benjamin) Zeng
Position: Co-Director of Confucius Institute
from Zhejiang Normal University

Dr Iris Wu
Position: Co-Director of Confucius Institute
from the University of the Western Cape

Mrs Ling Lin
Position: Chinese language instructor
from Zhejiang Normal University

Dr Hang Yang
Position: Chinese medicine lecturer
from Zhejiang Chinese Medical University

Ms Wilma Hugo 
Position: Chinese language instructor
from the University of the Western Cape

Location

The Confucius Institute office is currently located in the Administration Building, East Wing, UWC Main Campus, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville.

The institute's future location - on the second floor, B Block, UWC Main Campus - is scheduled to be completed by August 2022. The new office is approximately 350 square metres. Besides classrooms, library and computer lab, the unique global hub is designed for international students. The tea ceremony room is also specially designed to exhibit Chinese traditional culture to the campus community.

Contact

Email: confucius@uwc.ac.za 
Tel: +27 (0)21 959 4190

Please come to visit us: 

Monday to Friday: 09h00-16h30
Saturday, Sunday and South Africa public holidays: closed except for pre-arranged events and functions