Troy University’s Confucius Institute has been honored with a Global Confucius Institute of the Year Award, one of just 25 worldwide to receive the recognition.

Competing against more than 525 Confucius Institutes and 1,113 Confucius Classrooms in 146 countries, the award recognizes the Confucius Institute at Troy University’s commitment to furthering the teaching of Chinese language and culture in elementary, secondary and tertiary schools in Alabama. The award marks the second such recognition received by TROY’s Confucius Institute in the last five years.

“This honor reflects the strong leadership provided our Confucius Institute by Executive Director Dr. Iris Xu, Associate Director Zhi Zha, the Confucius Institute Board led by our Chancellor, Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., and Zeyang Zhou, president of Chongqing Normal University, and the support by our partner University, Chongqing Normal University,” said Dr. Earl Ingram, Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. “This team supports efforts of TROY’s Confucius Institute throughout the state, which includes Confucius Classrooms and satellite offices in both Montgomery and Dothan. It is very unusual for a Confucius Institute to receive this award twice in such a short span of time, and to do so is evidence of the hard work and dedication of those involved to share the Chinese language and culture with the people of the state of Alabama.”

Dr. Xu, the institute’s executive director, said receiving the recognition, which was presented in Beijing during the 12th Confucius Institute Conference, was a huge honor for all those involved with the University’s Confucius Institute.

“To be one of only three from the United States and 25 worldwide to receive the award is a tremendous honor,” Dr. Xu said. “The competition is very great, and it speaks highly of the Confucius Institute at Troy University to be recognized for a second time with this award.”

Established in 2007, the Confucius Institute at TROY is Alabama’s only Confucius Institute with the statewide mission of providing Chinese language and cultural education and forging economic development opportunities between Alabama and China. With locations on the Troy, Dothan and Montgomery campuses, the Confucius Institute provides translation services, as well as language and cultural training for area businesses and members of the public.

TROY’s Confucius Institute sponsors Confucius Classroom sites at Baldwin Arts and Academics Magnet School, Forest Avenue Academic Magnet School, Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School in Montgomery and Pike Road School, among others. The Institute has enabled hundreds of students, teachers, business and government leaders and other Alabamians to experience China first-hand through sponsored trips.