Confucius Institute at St. Joseph University （CIUSJ）is a non-profit public institution jointly established by  St. Joseph University and Shenyang Normal University ( in Liaoning Province, China), which is affiliated to  St. Joseph University.  Its purpose is to meet the needs of the Lebanese people to learn Chinese language by providing various kinds of Chinese language courses , enhance the Lebanese people’s understanding of Chinese language and culture, promote academic exchanges between the two universities and develop friendly relations between the Chinese and Lebanese people.

Its main functions are:

--- Adopt flexible teaching patterns and adapt to suit local conditions when teaching Chinese language in foreign primary schools, secondary schools, communities and enterprises. 

---- Provide training program for local teachers of Chinese as well as assistance your studies on Chinese education, culture, economic and social status. 

---- Carry out the HSK (Chinese proficiency test) for certificate of Teaching Chinese as a foreign language.

---- Sponsor academic exchange and Chinese Competition.

---- Provide library service for reference.

On Nov.10th,2006, Ms. Liu Xiang-hua Chinese Ambassador to Lebanon, on behalf of Hanban, formally signed the agreement on the establishment of Confucius Institute with Pro.René Chamussy sj., the President of  St. Joseph University. On Feb.27, 2007,  CIUSJ was officially inaugated as the first Confucius Institute to be established in an Arab country in the Middle East.

The Confucius Institute has a board of directors consisting 4 members selected by each party which meets once a year. Each party assigns a director to manage the routine work.

In September this year, the two parties of the agreement extend the agreement for another 5 years. And by this November, CIUSJ will mark its 15^th anniversary. Under  the guidance of the council and through the joint efforts of both sides, we have achieved great achievements .

In order to better promote the development of International Chinese language

education, learn from the better experience of other countries and adopt international practices, Hanban/Confucius Institute Headquarters announced in July 2000 to change its management mode and set up "Center for Language Education and Cooperation " and "Chinese International Education Foundation " under the

Ministry of Education.  By authorizing universities in China to cooperate with

foreign universities or institutions to set up Confucius Institutes, providing various Chinese language courses for local people.  The Center and the

Foundation promote the coordinated development of Confucius Institutes around the world by formulating macro policies.

In the past 15 years, we have organized 21 HSK(K) tests and 8 YCT tests, with 941 people taking the exams. We have organized more than 100 cultural activities, which attracted more than 10,000 audience to take part in. By 2019, 106 students have visited China through the summer camp program to experience Chinese culture. A total of 49 students have been awarded scholarships to Shenyang Normal University for further study. Confucius Institute has hosted the Chinese Bridge Competition Lebanon Round for five consecutive years, with a total number of 77 participants.The total number of registered students reached 4500.  

At present, the CIUSJ has dedicated office space of 70 square meters, a library room of 50 square meters, a common teaching space of 700 square meters, a cultural exhibition area of 10 square meters, and Chinese Garden of 40 square meters. Four Chinese teachers are working here to  teach Chinese course in more than 20 levels for over 150 students distributed in four learning centers. We take New Practical Chinese as textbook for our grown-up learners and Chinese Paradise for kids.

In the face of the current difficulties, we did not retreat at all. The teachers gave up the vacation of return to China for two years and stuck to their posts, overcoming numerous difficulties and insisting teaching lessons online.

Difficulties are temporary, we are full of hope! We firmly believe that victory will be ours! Let’s join hand to embrace the brilliant future of CIUSJ.

孔子学院介绍

黎巴嫩圣约瑟夫大学孔子学院是经中国国际中文教育基金会授权由黎巴嫩圣约瑟夫大学和沈阳师范大学（中国）合作建立的一所非营利性教育机构，隶属于圣约瑟夫大学（下设的二级学院），通过提供各类汉语课程以满足黎巴嫩人民学习汉语的需求，增进黎巴嫩人民对中国语言和文化的了解，促进两所大学之间的学术交流，发展中黎两国人民之间的友好关系。

孔子学院的主要职能是：面向社会各界人士开展汉语教学；培训本土汉语教师；开展汉语水平测试；承办各种学术交流及每年黎巴嫩赛区汉语桥比赛：提供中国教育、文化、经济及社会等图书资料查询。

2006年11月10日，中国驻黎巴嫩大使刘向华女士代表国家汉办既孔子学院总部与黎巴嫩圣约瑟夫大学校长雷内·沙姆西教授正式签署共建孔子学院的协议。2007年2月27日，黎巴嫩圣约瑟夫大学孔子学院正式揭牌，成为首个落户中东阿拉伯国家的孔子学院。孔子学院设理事会，成员分别由双方各自选派4人组成。理事会每年召开一次。日常工作由双方各指派一名院长负责管理。

今年的九月份，两所大学又续签了5年的合作协议，到今年11月，圣约瑟夫大学孔子学院即将走过15个年头。在过去的15年中，在理事会正确指导下，经过双方的共同努力，圣约瑟夫大学孔子学院知难而上，攻坚克难，取得了辉煌的成绩。15年间，我们共组织HSK(K)考试21场，YCT 8场，参加考试人数941人次。组织各类文化活动百余场，观众万余人。截止到2019年先后有106人通过夏令营项目到访中国，体验中国文化之旅。先后共有49人获得奖学金资助到沈阳师范大学继续学习深造。孔院已经连续五年承办汉语桥黎巴嫩赛区比赛，参加比赛人数累计77人次。累计注册学员达4500人次。

国家汉办/孔子学院总部为了更好的促进国际中文教育事业发展，借鉴其他国家发展经验，采纳国际通行做法，于2000年7月份宣布转变管理模式，设立教育部“中外语言交流合作中心”和“中国国际中文教育基金会”，通过授权中国境内各高校与国外大学或机构共同合作成立孔子学院，为当地中文爱好者提供各类汉语课程。“中心”和“基金会”通过制定宏观政策促进全球孔子学院的协调发展。

目前，圣约瑟夫大学孔子学院有70平米的专用办公场所，图书资料室50平米，教学公用场地700余平米，文化展示区10平米，中式花园占地40平米。

圣约瑟夫大学孔子学院现有四位中方汉语教师，除孔子学院本部外，下设三个教学点。目前开设选修课，非选修课，兴趣文化课和少儿班四个层级的20个级别课程。根据学生的实际情况选用新实用汉语，汉语乐园等教材。平均每年招生人数都能达到300人。

目前，黎巴嫩面临严峻的疫情和罕见的经济危机，我们和黎巴嫩人民一道，始终坚守岗位。老师们连读两年放弃回国休假，克服重重困难，坚持线上授课。我们孔院没有因为疫情等困难给学生耽误过一次课。困难是暂时的，我们对未来充满希望！我们坚信疫情终究会过去，胜利一定属于我们！让我们携起手来，一起去迎接圣约瑟夫大学孔子学院辉煌灿烂的明天！