Professor Wang Liming Honored with the 2024 “Confucius Institute Luminary” Award
November 16, 2024, Beijing – The "20th Anniversary of the Founding of Confucius Institutes: A Thematic Symposium," hosted by the Chinese International Chinese Education Foundation, commenced with great fanfare in Beijing. Among the highlights of the event was the special recognition ceremony titled “Confucius Institute Luminary: 20th Anniversary Special Tribute,” aimed at honoring international contributors who have made exceptional contributions to the development of Confucius Institutes over the past two decades. These individuals have not only advanced Chinese language education but have also served as vital bridges fostering cultural exchange and mutual understanding between China and the world.The award underscores the power of international collaboration while highlighting the profound impact of promoting Chinese language education and cultural understanding worldwide.
During the event, China’s Vice Minister of Education, Wu Yan, presented honorary plaques to the recipients in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the growth and success of Confucius Institutes.
One of the most notable awardees was Professor Wang Liming, celebrated for his exemplary achievements in advancing the Confucius Institute’s mission and fostering cultural exchange between China and Ireland. The award pays tribute to Professor Wang’s pivotal role in building cultural bridges and enhancing the friendship between the two nations.
Professor Wang Liming serves as the Director of the Confucius Institute at University College Dublin (UCD) and the Director of the Irish Institute for Chinese Studies. He is also a member of the Expert Advisory Committee of China’s State Council Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, Secretary General of the European Chinese Economic Association, and President of the Association for Chinese Studies in Ireland.
In 2006, Professor Wang founded the first Chinese Studies institution in Ireland—the Irish Institute for Chinese Studies—at UCD. He is also the founding director of the UCD Confucius Institute which is partnership with Renmin University of China, pioneering Chinese language and culture education in Ireland.
Under his leadership, the UCD Confucius Institute has achieved numerous milestones, including making Chinese an official subject in Ireland’s secondary school Leaving Cert. examination and collaborating with over 50 schools to teach Chinese language and culture courses.
In 2018, the completion of the Confucius Institute’s flagship building, which won the Irish Annual Architectural Design Award, became a landmark achievement in Ireland’s cultural and educational development. The UCD Confucius Institute has been named “Confucius Institute of the Year” three times, and in 2012, Professor Wang was named one of the sixty Most Powerful People in Ireland by The Irish Independent.
The 2024 World Chinese Conference has not only showcased the promising future of Chinese language education but also celebrated the diversity and transformative power of cultural exchange. As the “Confucius Institute Luminary” award inspires new heights of collaboration, the global network of Confucius Institutes will continue expanding cultural dialogue and fostering mutual understanding in an increasingly open and inclusive world.
