04 February 2026
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The meeting was opened by the Director of the Directorate of Internationalization and Global Partnerships at USU, Prof. Dr. Eng. Himsar Ambarita, S.T., M.T., who expressed his appreciation for the visit from the Confucius Institute and Xihua University delegation. “USU is highly open to international collaborations that are academically relevant and sustainable. This audience serves as an initial step toward building synergy, particularly in the development of language, culture, and academic exchange,” he stated.
The audience was also attended by the Vice Rector for Research, Community Service, and Cooperation at USU, Prof. Dr. Apt. Poppy Anjelisa Zaitun Hasibuan, M.Si.; the Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Prof. Dr. Dra. T. Thyrhaya Zein, M.A.; the Secretary of the Directorate of Internationalization and Global Partnerships, Arif Nuryawan, S.Hut., M.Si.; the Manager of Internationalization Programs, Prof. Dr. dr. Dewi Masyithah Darlan, DAP&E, MPH, Sp.Park; as well as the Head of the Mandarin Language Study Program at USU, Niza Ayuningtias, S.S., MTCSOL.
The Confucius Institute/Xihua University delegation presented an overview of their institution and shared their experience in managing the Confucius Institute currently operating at Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS). The presentation was delivered by Dr. Hou Mengyao, Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at UNS and Senior Lecturer at Xihua University. She explained that Xihua University is a comprehensive provincial-level university in Sichuan, established in 1960, with strong academic expertise in language, literature, media, as well as social sciences and engineering.
In her presentation, Dr. Hou Mengyao highlighted that Xihua University offers collaboration opportunities focused on Chinese Language and Literature, language program development, cultural research, as well as student and faculty exchange schemes. “We see strong potential for collaboration with USU, particularly through the Faculty of Cultural Sciences. This cooperation can be developed gradually, starting with language and culture, and later expanded to other fields based on the readiness of both institutions,” she noted.
The delegation also outlined the role of the Confucius Institute as a center for Chinese language and cultural education that actively organizes various programs, including Mandarin language courses, teacher training, HSK and HSKK examinations, and cultural activities. The experience of the Confucius Institute at UNS was presented as a model that could serve as a reference for developing similar cooperation at USU.
In response to the presentation, USU expressed its interest in exploring concrete collaboration with the Confucius Institute and Xihua University, particularly involving the Faculty of Cultural Sciences. Several potential areas of cooperation discussed included strengthening the Mandarin Language Study Program, developing internationally collaborative curricula, academic exchanges, and language and cultural activities involving students.
The Head of the Mandarin Language Study Program at USU, Niza Ayuningtias, stated that FIB USU is open to collaborative initiatives that can enhance academic quality and expand students’ international exposure. She emphasized that collaboration with the Confucius Institute and Xihua University could add significant value to the development of language and cultural studies at USU.
The audience took place in a constructive and interactive discussion atmosphere. Both parties agreed to follow up on the meeting through technical coordination between the Faculty of Cultural Sciences and Xihua University to formulate realistic and sustainable forms of cooperation.
