On April 28, 2025, the University of Mauritius hosted a luncheon to bid farewell to Professor Fu Mingduan, the outgoing Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute. All teachers of the Institute attended the event, along with Professor Sanjeev K. Sobhee, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Mauritius, Professor Issack Santally, Pro Vice-Chancellor, and Dr. Kistamah, the Mauritian Director of the Confucius Institute.
Professor Sobhee acknowledged the outstanding achievements of Professor Fu during her five-year tenure. Under her leadership, the Confucius Institute team has advanced Chinese language teaching, actively expanded a diversified curriculum, continuously improved the quality of cultural activities, and promoted academic exchanges and faculty-student visits between Chinese and Mauritian universities. The Institute's social impact in Mauritius has steadily increased, and it has become an important platform for international cooperation and cultural development at the University of Mauritius.
Professor Fu presented a review of her work and accomplishments during her tenure. She expressed that it was a valuable professional experience to witness the growth of the Confucius Institute alongside her team and to work hand in hand with Mauritian colleagues. She thanked the University of Mauritius for its long-standing trust and support, and all the Chinese and Mauritian staff for their dedicated efforts. Although she is stepping down, she said she would continue to care for and support the future development of the Confucius Institute, and hopes that cooperation between China and Mauritius in education and the humanities will deepen further.
As a parting gift, Professor Fu presented the University of Mauritius with a poetry collection titled “Mauritius: Dream Paradise”, translated by her team under her leadership.
Left to Right: Professor Zhang Kangfu, Professor Sanjeev Sobhee, Professor Fu Mingduan and Associate Professor Naraindra Kistamah