Lianne - One City Together
  • Home
  • About
    • About Lianne
    • My Priorities
  • Speeches
  • Gallery
  • Contact

Farewell for Professor Hong Hu, Deputy Director, Confucius Institute UC

11/5/2016

 
It is my pleasure to join you here today.
 
We are gathered to honour the efforts of a wonderful colleague and friend.
 
Professor Hu has been at the helm of the Confucius Institute since it first opened its doors in 2010 - 6 years ago.
 
I understand that this is a record that has earned her some fame at home in China - usually Deputy Directors only serve for between 2-4 years!
 

Back in 2010 the Institute had just a handful of staff and faced big challenges to introduce Chinese language and cultural programmes into our educational institutions right across the whole South Island.
 
Now the Institute is 35-strong and they are working with more than 90 primary, secondary and tertiary institutions.
 
This is truly remarkable growth in such a short time frame, and is largely due to Professor Hu's passion, work ethic and diplomatic skill.
 
Connections and cooperation between Christchurch, Canterbury and China are very significant.
 
It is vital that we develop and nurture an understanding of the history and culture of China.
 
It is important that more of us learn to speak Chinese. It is through the language of a country that we truly access the culture.
 
In that regard the Confucius Institute has done a great deal over the past six years to add real depth to the lives of students from all across the South Island.
 
Professor Hu, I know that you have personally made significant sacrifices for the sake of your work here.
 
You and the Institute have endured the earthquakes and ongoing rebuild efforts.
 
It has been a trying time for us all, and you have my gratitude for the commitment you have shown to our city.
 
While we will miss you very much, I feel very happy knowing that you will be able to again be with many of those people who are closest to you.
 
And you needn't worry about the future of the institute - I am sure that everything you have worked for is left in safe hands with Adam and your replacement Deputy Director Jiang.
 
You have left an indelible legacy, and the influence of the Confucius Institute is spreading right across our city.
 
Your presence is certainly felt at the City Council - I know that Jack wouldn't be where he is today without your tutelage and support.
 
On behalf of our city, thank you for all that you have done. You are always welcome here and I hope that you will come back to visit in future years.
 
I wish you all the very best for the future.

    Speeches

    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    June 2013

    Categories

    All
    Speeches

    Social Media