CIEF and CLEC
The University of Nottingham is proud to host a Confucius Institute in partnership with Fudan University, our esteemed collaborator in China.
The Confucius Institute now operates under a renewed support and governance framework, led by two key organisations: the Chinese International Education Foundation (CIEF) and the Centre for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC).
The Chinese International Education Foundation (CIEF) is a non-profit charitable organization co-founded by 27 universities, enterprises, and social groups. Dedicated to promoting Chinese language and culture worldwide, CIEF provides vital support to Confucius Institutes and other international education initiatives.
The Centre for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC), a professional institution under the Chinese Ministry of Education, plays a central role in advancing global Chinese language education. Its responsibilities include developing international Chinese language proficiency standards, administering certification tests, and supplying high-quality teaching resources. Additionally, CLEC oversees flagship programmes such as the Chinese Bridge competitions and the China Studies Programme, while fostering international exchange and cooperation in language education.
Through this partnership, the University of Nottingham reaffirms its commitment to cultural exchange, academic collaboration, and global engagement.
Fudan University
Established in 1905, Fudan University is located in Shanghai, the most dynamic metropolis in China. It is placed in the top three universities in China. Its name "Fudan" was taken from a famous line in the Confucian Classics: "Itinerant as the twilight, sun glows and moon luminesces".
The main goal of Fudan University is to cultivate more and more all-round talents for modern China. With over 45,000 students, Fudan is a comprehensive university highly ranked in physical and social sciences. The University's population of international students is also the second largest among its peers in China.
Fudan boasts a qualified faculty of more than 2,300 full-time teachers and researchers, including 1,350 professors and associate professors. The University also actively incubates high-tech industries and encourages them to turn knowledge into power. Fudan University is a member of the Universities 21 and Association of Pacific Rim Universities networks.