The Confucius Institute at Chittagong University (CU), established with Chinese funding and support from Yunnan Minzu University, is expected to begin its academic and cultural activities in September. The initiative aims to promote Chinese language education and cultural exchange, while also enabling mutual language learning between Bangla and Chinese students.
CU students will have the opportunity to learn Chinese language and develop various skills, while Chinese students will also be able to learn Bangla. Officials believe the initiative will strengthen cultural and academic ties between the two countries.
A meeting was held on Saturday morning at the CU Vice-Chancellor’s office to discuss the launch of the institute, its administrative structure, student exchange programs, and operational guidelines.
CU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammad Al-Forkan presided over the meeting. It was attended by CU Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Dr. Mohammad Shamim Uddin Khan, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr. Md. Kamal Uddin, Acting Registrar Professor Dr. Mohammad Saiful Islam, Director of the Office for International Affairs Professor Dr. Mohammad Shahab Uddin, and Professor Ibrahim Hossain from the Institute of Modern Languages.
The visiting Chinese delegation included Wang Kun, Li Jingjun, Jia Wangyi, and Zhao Ruihong. They discussed key issues including infrastructure development, teacher recruitment, student exchange programs, and the overall governance structure of the institute.
CU Vice-Chancellor said that the establishment of the Confucius Institute would significantly facilitate student exchange between the two countries.
He said CU students would be able to learn Chinese language, while Chinese students would also have the opportunity to learn Bangla, thereby enhancing cultural understanding and cooperation.
After the meeting, the CU Vice-Chancellor showed the delegation around the campus and the temporary office of the institute. He also presented gifts and expressed gratitude to the visiting guests.
It is known that a trilateral agreement was signed in November 2025 between the Chinese government, Yunnan Minzu University, and Chittagong University for the establishment of the Confucius Institute at CU. Under the agreement, the institute will offer Chinese and Bangla language education and cultural programs. CU will allocate approximately half an acre of land, while the Chinese government will fund the construction of the institute’s infrastructure.