Universities to keep Confucius Institutes, despite criticism

CBC News 07 November 2014

Officials with the University of Regina and the University of Saskatchewan in Canada say that their respective Confucius Institutes will remain, despite criticisms, reports CBC News.

An organisation called the Canadian Association of University Teachers, or CAUTS, has been calling for universities to do away with Confucius Institutes, which are partly financed and controlled by the Chinese government. The institutes in Regina and Saskatoon opened three years ago and offer courses in Chinese languages and culture.

Len Findlay, from CAUTS, told CBC News that he questions the standards of the institute, especially when it comes to academic freedom. But officials say the institutes are worthwhile. "China is a very important partner," David Parkinson, from the University of Saskatchewan, told CBC News. He added the institute is not providing courses for university credit.
Full report on the CBC News site

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