Rector of the University of Banja Luka, Milan Mataruga, stated that the official opening of the Confucius Institute at the University of Banja Luka is expected by the end of the year.
Mataruga stated that they are working on the establishment of this institute at the University of Banja Luka for almost 2 years.
“Confucius Institute will be kind of a representation of the People’s Republic of China in Republika Srpska (RS). With the establishment of the university it will be much easier to perform international exchanges of teachers, staff, students, as well as the implementation of research projects that will be realized in cooperation with China. Also, this institute is important from an economic point of view, by supporting economic cooperation, and mutual exchange of culture, tradition and language,” said Mataruga.
Ambassador of BiH to People’s Republic of China, Borislav Maric, said that the opening of the Confucius Institute has several important aspects.
“After numerous negotiations in which I participated, I can say that I am sure that all conditions for the Confucius Institute in Banja Luka to be opened by the end of the year have been realized, but I would not be surprised if it happens earlier,” said Maric.
In the study on justification of the establishment of Confucius Institute at the University of Banja Luka was stated that the most important contribution would be the RS taking a proactive role in the cultural, educational and economic cooperation between BiH and China.
“Considering the important strengthening of the political influence of China in the world, with the opening of Confucius Institute in the RS we would get a better position in diplomatic relations with China, and thus the possibility of better positioning in international relations and implementation of economic and social interests,” as stated in this document.
China has opened over 480 such institutes in the world since 2004, and it plans to open another 1,000 of them by 2020.
The newly established Confucius Institute will receive financial support for its initial activities from the People’s Republic of China in the amount from 70,000 USD to 200,000 USD, and expected amount in the case of the University of Banja Luka is 150,000 USD.
When it comes to the region, Confucius institutes already exist on the Universities of Belgrade, Zagreb, Ljubljana, Novi Sad, in Montenegro, Skopje and Sarajevo.
(Source: klix.ba)
