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China, SL universities to sign partnership agreements during President Xi’s visit
View(s):During the Chinese President’s visit to Sri Lanka, two agreements will be signed for two State-funded universities to share resources and knowledge with Chinese universities.
The newly established Ocean University of Sri Lanka in partnership with South China Sea Institute of Oceanology (SCSIO) will sign an MoU to share knowledge through exchange of staff and students, while the University of Colombo in partnership with the Confucius Institute Headquarters (CIH) of China, to establish a Confucius Institute (CI) at Colombo University. CIH will also provide a start-up fund of US$ 150,000.
SCSIO will assist the Ocean University of Sri Lanka to conduct collaborative research in Physical Oceanography & Marine Biology and joint workshops, conferences and publications.
As one of the largest marine research institutes in China, and a knowledge innovation institute under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), SCSIO will also assist in training its Masters and PhD students.
The partnership with CIH will provide Colombo University’s CI with all the assistance required to teach Chinese language, such as send instructors from the headquarters based on their requirements and bear all related costs. The CI will also train Chinese language instructors and will hold the HSK examination (Chinese Proficiency Test) and tests for the Certification of the Chinese Language Teachers, to work in Sri Lanka. Furthermore, CI will also conduct language and cultural exchange activities and function as an information and consultative services provider concerning China’s education and culture. Under the agreement, CIH will also provide 3,000 volumes of Chinese books.
The MoU between Ocean University of Sri Lanka and SCSIO will be signed on September 16 in Colombo, between Higher Education Minister S.B. Dissanayake and CAS President Prof. Bai Chunli. The Agreement between CIH and Colombo University will be signed on the same day, between CI Chief Executive, Xu Lin and University of Colombo Vice Chancellor, Dr W.K. Hirimburegama.