The 12th Council Meeting of the Confucius Institute at Zayed University was held on Oct 9 in a hybrid format, combining online and on-site participation.

BFSU representatives participate the online meeting. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

Zhao Gang, vice-president of Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU), and Omar Alfandi, dean and professor at the College of Technological Innovation of Zayed University, attended the meeting.

Zhao said the Confucius Institute at Zayed University has set up the first test center in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the Certificate for Teachers of Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages (CTCSOL), and has signed the UAE's first cooperation agreement on examination services for the certificate. These steps mark the establishment of a professional certification and examination platform for Chinese language teachers in the UAE, providing important support for training local teachers and for the sustainable development of international Chinese language education, he said.

Noting the long-standing friendship between BFSU and Zayed University, Zhao expressed the hope that the two universities would continue to deepen strategic cooperation and build quality channels of communication and learning for young people on both sides.

Omar Alfandi said the Confucius Institute has maintained strong momentum in the UAE and has become the most influential local brand in Chinese language education, playing a vital role in promoting the Chinese language and Chinese culture. He said Zayed University will continue to deepen high-quality cooperation with BFSU, and looked forward to broader teacher and student exchanges and joint academic research, so that Chinese language education and cross-cultural exchange reinforce each other.

The council heard the 2025-2026 work report and the 2026-2027 work plan presented by the directors of the institute. Council members spoke highly of its achievements and exchanged views on teaching resources, academic cooperation and student training.

Inaugurated in 2012 and jointly established by BFSU and Zayed University, the Confucius Institute at Zayed University is the first and largest Confucius Institute in the UAE. Guided by an open and cooperative approach, it offers a variety of Chinese language services, has built an extensive Chinese teaching and examination system, and organizes cultural activities for local communities, serving as an important platform for advancing Chinese language education and cultural exchange between China and the UAE.