Decision to Close the Confucius Institute at Tufts University

In 2015, Tufts University launched the Confucius Institute at Tufts University (CITU), a program within the School of Arts and Sciences, to provide support for supplemental, not-for-credit Chinese language and culture instruction and programming, and to facilitate educational and cultural exchange and cooperation between Tufts and Beijing Normal University (BNU). In 2019, Tufts announced a two-year renewal of the CITU. As the expiration of that agreement approaches, we have decided to focus more on our strong and growing direct relationship with BNU. Our relationship with the CITU will conclude when our current agreement expires in September; the CITU will continue to offer programming through the end of the summer.

The CITU has made a valuable contribution to Chinese language and culture learning at Tufts and helped to facilitate Tufts’ important relationship with BNU. We appreciate all who have supported and contributed to its operation. We are particularly grateful to BNU, our partner in China, for its support for and role in developing the CITU’s programming from 2015 to 2021.

The decision to move on from the CITU will enable the university to focus on expanding and deepening its relationship with BNU, whose College of Chinese Language and Culture is regarded as a leading center for teaching Chinese as a foreign language. Tufts already has established successful programs with BNU, including the “Tufts in Beijing” study abroad program and, over the past year,  an in-person learning option for Tufts students in China, the “Tufts@BNU” program. Our successful and collaborative experience has affirmed our interest in growing our relationship with BNU and exploring potential additional options for both virtual and in-person exchange in Chinese language, culture and other areas.

We remain committed to international engagement with our partners and are enthused by increased student interest in Chinese language and culture. We look forward to the continued growth of our programming as we move ahead.

James M. Glaser

Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, Tufts University

Diana Chigas

Senior International Officer and Associate Provost