Hanban is a Chinese government organisation to promote language and culture, like the Institut Francais
The University of Groningen (RUG) will continue to collaborate with the Confucius Institute Groningen, an organisation set up to promote Chinese language and culture. However a separate agreement with the Chinese government organisation Hanban, which concerned a Chair of Chinese Language and Literature at the University, will not be renewed.
The agreement was drawn up when the Chair of Chinese Language and Literature was established, will expire in 2021. The RUG emphasises that the appointment of this professor has always been at the Faculty of Arts and not at the Confucius Institute. The salary of the professor has also been paid by the RUG, and the position will not be abolished.
On Thursday 25 March, the Executive Board of the University of Groningen spoke extensively with the University Council about the collaboration with the Confucius Institute Groningen. The Executive Board has repeatedly emphasised that academic freedom is the most important starting point for the University of Groningen.
The Executive Board has also indicated that it is being investigated how the administrative links with the Confucius Institute can be reorganised in order to remove any uncertainties about this.
