Ninth Level Ireland

“The main higher education story over the past two years has rightfully been the Covid-19 pandemic. Everyone from students to senior management has coped as best as possible in extraordinary circumstances. But the impact of another global development in the sector that has been slowly unfolding for years has now also became acute, and that is the growing threat to academic freedom …” (more)

[Alexander Dukalskis and David Farrell, Irish Times, 15 September]

“A number of academics in University College Dublin have expressed strong opposition to a course on Chinese history and politics being delivered by an institute they believe has links with the Beijing regime. The academics say that the delivery of the course, by the UCD Irish Institute for Chinese Studies (IICS), ‘devalues and endangers UCD’s academic reputation’ …” (more)

[Colm Keena, Irish Times, 7 August]

“The Ministry for Education in China has decided to rebrand its Confucius Institutes as centres for ‘language exchange and cooperation’. This decision may see the UCD Confucius Institute, which was completed last year, rebranded accordingly …” (more)

[Blathnaid Corless, College Tribune, 5 July]

“Barry Cowen (Offaly, Fianna Fail): To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the University College Dublin Confucius institute has been completed; if not, when it is expected to be completed; the estimated cost of the project; the amount spent to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)

[Dáil written answers, 19 September]

“According to China, its Confucius Institute is ‘a bridge reinforcing friendship’ between it and the world. But to its critics the government-run body – which offers language and cultural programmes overseas – is a way for Beijing to spread propaganda under the guise of teaching, interfere with free speech on campuses and even to spy on students …” (more)

[Pratik Jakhar, BBC, 7 September]

“NUI Galway has signed an agreement to establish a Confucius Institute and to formalise collaborative ties with Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine (NJUCM). The signing ceremony was attended by the Chinese Vice-Minister for Education, the Ambassador of China in Ireland and the Mayor of Galway …” (more)

[Fiona Lee, SIN, 11 April]

“In the bright hallways of the UCD Confucius Institute, a bronze sculpture of the eponymous philosopher surveys his kingdom. The newly opened building, which has been lauded for its design, is sleek and airy with whispers of Chinese influence …” (more)

[Ciannait Khan, University Times, 3 April]

“Academics have predicted a crackdown on Confucius Institutes across the West, as the UK becomes the latest country to launch an investigation into the role and influence of the Chinese government-funded centres. While there have long been concerns over Confucius Institutes – which aim to promote Chinese language and culture but are viewed by critics as a method for spreading pro-China propaganda – the centres are now facing increased scrutiny from national politicians and policymakers …” (more)

[Ellie Bothwell, Times Higher Education, 12 April]

“The University College Dublin (UCD) Confucius Centre, a building part-funded by the Chinese Government, has now run €4.8 million over budget, following a recent €2 million increase in costs. At a meeting of the university’s governing authority, it was revealed the project would require an additional €2 million, following a dispute with the construction contractors Glenman Corporation …” (more)

[Jack Power, Irish Times, 13 November]

“Sir, – The double standards on display in UCC should be obvious. While academics there call for boycotts against Israel, they seem more than happy with the UCC links to China via the Confucius Institute …” (more)

[Paul Williams, Irish Times, 21 January]

“UCD President Andrew Deeks last month met the Chinese vice minister for Education Hao Ping in China, and reportedly discussed ‘the progress of the construction project’ on the UCD campus …” (more)

[College Tribune, 2 January]

“The editorial of a newspaper is a space and opportunity for the editor to express the opinions of the publication, generally on a pertinent topic in recent news. I feel there will be little revelations more pressing to UCD students in the coming weeks as the controversy emerging over the cost of the new Confucius Centre in UCD. €4,100,000 or €4.1 million is now the bill UCD has been left with in order to complete the project, to avoid a diplomatic incident with the Chinese government …” (more)

[College Tribune, 12 November]

“UCD college President Andrew Deeks has issued a statement to staff on the Confucius Institute building revelations, claiming the increased €4.1 million UCD bill will ‘not impact on other capital projects on campus’ …” (more)

[College Tribune, 27 October]

“The Government rejected a plea from University College Dublin for an extra €2.5 million needed to build a Chinese government-backed building on its campus, despite fears that delays could cause a diplomatic incident with Beijing …” (more)

[Jack Power, Irish Times, 25 October]

“The news comes as a new €7 million Confucius Centre is currently being constructed for the Institute beside the Engineering building in UCD. The first inspection of the Institute by the PRC (People’s Republic of China) government was in 2012 …” (more)

[Jack Power, Irish Times, 22 September]

“It can be revealed that the controversial Chinese Ministry of Education inspects the Confucius Institute in UCD. The news comes as a new €7 million Confucius Centre is currently being constructed for the Institute beside the Engineering building in UCD …” (more)

[College Tribune, 13 September]

“Modern languages staff at Ulster University warn its vice chancellor that its Confucius Institute may have to close …” (more)

[Robbie Meredith, BBC News, 23 October]

“Much has been made of Jonathan Bell’s trip to China, it emerged that his trip was not paid for out of public money nor from the Confucius Institute at the University of Ulster – the Irish News reporting that a university spokeswoman said ‘no’ to the question of if the institute had paid for the trip …” (more)

[Kris Nixon, Slugger O’Toole, 16 October]

“All Chinese language courses are to end at a university chosen to help foster closer ties between China and the north. Massive budget reductions mean Ulster University plans to shut down its school of modern languages. It is also ending stand-alone maths degrees as part of cuts that will see as many as 70 different courses go across six subject areas …” (more)

[Simon Doyle, Irish News, 11 September]

“Next week, staff from 25 universities and eight secondary schools in China will arrive in Ireland hoping to attract students. No foreign country has become so embedded in our education system in recent years as China …” (more)

[Kim Bielenberg, Independent, 27 May]