Pitt's Confucius Institute Receives Honor

The growing University of Pittsburgh program is named a 2013 Confucius Institute of the Year, its third such win in six years.

Photo by Dave DiCello
 

Pitt’s Confucius Institute grows, gains national recognition
The Confucius Institute of the Year honor is bestowed on a select number of the 429 worldwide Confucius Institutes. The University of Pittsburgh took the 2013 title — its third such win in six years. Established in 2007 as part of the school’s center for International Studies, Pitt’s Confucius Institute is best known for teaching the Mandarin language and Chinese culture to students in kindergarten through college. Classes are held in seven primary classrooms across Pennsylvania and parts of Ohio, as well as through distance-learning arrangements with 68 regional partner schools, enabling the program to reach more than 3,878 pupils.

Graduate students from China’s Hubei province who are studying Chinese language education at Wuhan University serve as class instructors. The institute’s student enrollment increased last year by 27 percent. The program also offers Chinese musical performances, theater and public academic lectures throughout the year.

Did you know? West Virginia University recently began a partnership with Tianjin University of Finance & Economics as a step toward establishing its own Confucius Institute.
— Mahala Scott, PM Editorial Intern   

La Roche offers new program for special education, humanitarian aid
This summer, La Roche College will add two programs — the special education master’s degree and the global development and humanitarian aid summer program. The degree will offer three curriculum tracks: Autism Spectrum Disorders Endorsement; M.Ed. in Special Education with Special Education Certification; and M.Ed. in Special Education with an ASD Endorsement. The track offerings are designed to provide continuing education and specialty offerings for local education professionals and students.

Those looking for an experience that’s unlike most others may consider the summer program. During training from June 2-6, graduates and professionals will get a glimpse of humanitarianism and emergency-aid careers by covering such topics as human rights and safety. An eight-day program extension also is available for special focus on such areas as project management. It includes lectures, film forums and a two-day trip to Washington, D.C. La Roche is one of four introductory providers of the program, which is made possible through a partnership with world-renowned training organization RedR UK, along with Pittsburgh experts. Register for training by March 15 to receive discounted tuition.
— Krystal Hare, PM Fact-Checker

CMU, Pittsburgh Technology Council accepting entries for upcoming exhibit
Carnegie Mellon University and the Pittsburgh Technology Council will host the 2014 Design, Art and Technology Awards (DATA) and Interactive Exhibition, a product of the organizations’ collaborative Art and Technology Initiative. Applicants may range from students to roboticists to entrepreneurs; they may enter in such categories as entertainment, fine arts and software. A jury of industry leaders will critique entries; plus, submissions will be judged through a nationwide public voting site. Finalists will be featured in a May 8 interactive exhibit event.

Applications will be accepted through Jan. 30.

Other upcoming deadlines:

• University of Pittsburgh, Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business
  Grow your business network at Pitt’s CONNECT 2014 Networking Luncheon, scheduled for Jan. 23 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration closes Jan. 15.
   
• West Virginia University, 4-H Extension Camp Instructor Program
  Help create young leaders by becoming an instructor at WVU’s 2014 4-H summer camp. Applications must be postmarked or emailed by Jan. 17.
  — K.H.