After a yearlong review, Tufts University has reaffirmed its commitment to the Confucius Institute at Tufts.
Responding to criticisms about Confucius Institutes in the United States, a committee of Tufts professors and administrators found that the Tufts Confucius Institute provides benefits to students and faculty at Tufts, especially in the Chinese Program, and that the Confucius Institute at Tufts University has not exercised any “undue influence, suppression of academic freedom or improper bias” in its activities.
The university’s review is common, as Confucius Institute contracts typically only span a period of 5 years, allowing universities the opportunity to continue or renegotiate their agreements with the Chinese Ministry of Education.
In defending his decision to renew their Confucius Institute agreement, James Glaser, Tufts Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, said, “I’m confident that we have arrived at a very thoughtful and well-researched decision. We’re pleased that our students will continue to have access to a resource that helps them enhance their language skills and their understanding of Chinese culture.”
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