Dr. Hsiang-te Kung, professor in the Department of Earth Sciences and a 75th generation direct descendent of Confucius, has been named director of the new Confucius Institute at the University of Memphis. The institute is one of fewer than 25 in the country, and is the only Confucius Institute in the state of Tennessee or the Mid-South area. The institute seeks to promote the understanding and teaching of Chinese language and culture and to promote positive relationships between both the U. S. and Chinese governments and the people of their countries. Confucius Institutes are established by the Office of Chinese Language Council International of Beijing.

Beginning in early- to mid-2008, the Institute will be based in Wilder Tower on the 11th floor. A statue of Confucius will greet visitors, and the Institute will include a library of more than 4,000 books of Chinese literature donated by the Chinese Language Council.  The Institute will also involve a newly created Asian Studies and International Trade program, a Bachelor of Liberal Studies program that draws heavily on courses based in departments of the College of Arts and Sciences.

The University of Memphis is partnered with Hubei University, located in central China. Hubei is one of the largest universities in the Hubei Province, and, like The University of Memphis, is an urban research university.  Its president, Wu Chuan-xi, and director, Li Xiang-kun, “have shown very strong commitment and enthusiasm in partnership with us,” says Dr. Kung.

Dr. Kung, who was born in China and grew up in Taiwan, has been a professor at the University of Memphis since 1981. He served as chair of the geography department from 1991 until 2001, when the geography and geology departments were combined to form the Department of Earth Sciences. He has published extensively and has been awarded more than 70 research grants.

The College of Arts and Sciences is very proud to play a role in the new Confucius Institute and congratulates Dr. Kung on his appointment. For more information, visit their website at: cium.memphis.edu