American Confucius Institute at Purdue University Launches U.S. CI Directors Media Training Program

West Lafayette, May 7th – the Confucius Institute at Purdue University held a one-day U.S. CI Directors Media Training Program for directors from 16 Confucius Institutes in order to research issues concerning brand management, P.R. & Diplomacy, organizational management and media interaction. Chu Maoming, Deputy Consul General of Chinese Consulate General in Chicago participated in the training program and delivered speech.

Madam Carolyn Curiel, Special Assistant and Senior Speech Writer to former President Clinton and NY Times Editorial Board member made an opening comment, introducing some basic information on the US media and expressing her points of view on dealing with the media in the capacity of a Confucius Institute director.

Experts in communication and P.R. from Purdue University analyzed some cases in dealing with media, and the 4 participants were asked to take mock interviews in the capacity of Confucius Institute directors, asked questions raised by TV journalists. Soon after the mock interviews, a video clip of the mock interviews were shown to the class for participants and experts to make comprehensive evaluations of interviewees’ manners and answers. This interactive element of teaching methods added to the joyfulness of the class.

According to Hong Wei, the Director of the Confucius Institute at Purdue University, issues such as the development of the Confucius Institute brand and means for dealing with the general public, and in particular the media, have been put on the agenda of the Confucius Institute. (According to a Xinhuanet report on May 7th contributed by correspondent Zhang Baoping, Li Mi)