In October 2016, the University of Luxembourg signed an agreement with the Confucius Institute Headquarters in China and Fudan University for the establishment of a Confucius Institute (CI) at the University of Luxembourg. The Institute is now about to start its activities and the Luxembourg Director of the Institute, Jauffrey Bareille, took office on 2nd of January. Read on to learn more about him and about the planned activities of the Confucius Institute.
Please introduce yourself. What is your background/experience? Where did you learn Chinese?
My name is Jauffrey Bareille, I come from France and I have started to learn Chinese when
I was in junior high school, as a second foreign language. Since then, Chinese language and culture have always been my studies and career major drivers. After a Bachelor’s degree in English/Chinese as foreign languages applied to international business at the University of La Rochelle, I got a Master’s degree in tourism and leisure management applied to the Chinese market at the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management – University of Angers. Within this framework, I have been several times in China to study, notably at the Ocean University of China in Qingdao, and work for local and international companies in Qingdao and Chongqing. For the last six years, I have worked at the Confucius Institute of Pays de la Loire as a cultural and pedagogical adviser before taking on the position as Luxembourg Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Luxembourg.
What is your role within the Institute?
The past year has been marked by the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Luxembourg, and the creation of the Confucius Institute at the University of Luxembourg reinforces the will to strengthen bilateral relations between China and Luxembourg. In this context, my role within the Institute is to contribute to the development of these relations by spreading the Chinese language and culture in Luxembourg. I would like to make the Confucius Institute become a bridge in China-Luxembourg relations, not only within the University but also across the country, especially at educational, cultural, economic and scientific level by offering a variety of courses, scholarship programmes, as well as conference cycles and a cultural programming, notably in collaboration with schools, associations and other actors.
Have you already planned any events/seminars?
As the Confucius Institute is only just starting its activities, we are in the creation process.
I currently focus on the official Opening Ceremony of the Confucius Institute, which will be held in April 2018. Besides, we are planning to start Chinese beginners courses during this semester. Further information will be available in the weeks to come.
