On August 4, Huaqiao University (HQU) launched a ten-day Chinese Language and Culture Education & Chinese School Principals Seminar for 80 principals and directors of Chinese schools from 30 countries including France, Spain, Canada, Myanmar, Laos, Germany, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Mongolia, Italy, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Brunei.

“Chinese education is related not only to the growth and future of children of overseas Chinese, but to the inheritance and development of Chinese culture, and even to the harmony between China and the world.” HQU Vice President Lin Hongyu addressed in the opening ceremony that Chinese education faces calls for regrouping, which poses new requirements for the competency of principals, the key minorities. He hoped attending principals would take the opportunity to exchange ideas and experience and unleash creativity, driving high-quality development of overseas Chinese schools.

“Our teachers benefited greatly from HQU’s teacher training courses and principal seminars. HQU has accompanied us and always been supportive for us over the past three years.” Yan Ping, Principal of Metropolregion Rhein-Neckar Chinesische Schule of Germany and an active attendee in 2021 and 2024, called on principals to exchange management experience, optimize and pull strengths together, adapt to market changes, grow their networks and introduce intelligence into education, so as to address challenges posed by globalization and digitalization.

Li Qing, Secretary General of African Chinese Language Foundation and a first-timer of this program, expressed her hope that she would take this opportunity to communicate with and learn from other principals, and improve her educational management and professional skills, so that she could gain further insight into the prospects of Chinese education in Africa.

The program features an exhibition titled “Chinese Language Education: A Journey with You”, showcasing 47 Chinese schools from 5 continents from perspectives of introduction, educational philosophy, course setting, school characteristics and educational achievements.

The event, themed on “Chinese Language and Culture Education: The Perspectives of Principals”, invites experts and scholars to share their views on the transformation and upgrading of Chinese education, talent development, leadership and brand building, AI empowered education, Chinese teaching philosophy and innovation, and traditional Chinese culture. A series of workshops and activities were organized for the principals to strengthen their management ability and confidence in Chinese culture, and to discuss, collaborate and innovate, blazing a new path for Chinese schools.

The Opening Ceremony

The Group Photo

The Exhibition on Overseas Chinese Schools

(Editor: Wei Linying)