Dr. Beaupre Named New Co-Director of Confucius Institute

Dr. Charles Beaupre has been named as new co-director of the Confucius Institute.

A Saint Mary's-based Institute dedicated to developing enhanced opportunities to learn about the Chinese world has a new co-director.

Dr. Charles Beaupre, a professor teaching in the Asian Studies and the Modern Languages programs, is taking on the leadership role with the Confucius Institute effective immediately. He succeeds Dr. Bill Sewell who is stepping down to take on increased responsibilities within the Asian Studies Program.

"Dr. Sewell’s work during the initial stages of developing the Institute partnership has been invaluable,” says Dr. David Gauthier, Vice President Academic and Research. “Without his tireless effort the Institute would not be in the growth position it is today.”  

Located on the second floor of the McNally Building, the Institute is quickly becoming the hub for cross-cultural understanding that extends beyond the campus and into the community. This week the Institute is hosting China Week a series of events that showcase traditional Chinese arts and music.  

“I look forward to the challenge,” said the new co-director, who shares responsibility for the Institute with Maria Pan from Xiamen University. “It is exciting to be coming on board just as an event like China Week showcases the potential for the Institute.”  

Dr. Beaupre has been a faculty member at Saint Mary’s University since 1994.  He has served as Coordinator of the Asian Studies Programme on several occasions, and has also been on-site advisor to students on work/study programmes in China and Vietnam.  He teaches courses in Chinese Studies, focusing on language, film and literature.  He has a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from McGill University, specializing in intercultural studies. 

For many years Dr. Beaupre has conducted educational research on ethnic minorities in various national settings in Asia, including China, Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines.  In more recent years he has devoted his research to comparative (East-West) studies of learning/teaching approaches, as well as transformative learning in higher education.

Developed in partnership with from Xiamen University, the Confucius Institute  provides students and the community at large access to learning opportunities focused on the Chinese language, culture and business. Funding for the Institute is provided by the Office of the Chinese Language Council International (Hanban), a non-profit organization that promotes Chinese language, culture and history. There are more than 300 Confucius Institutes worldwide, the first having been established in 2004.

This page last modified Monday, 21-Nov-2011 09:25:59 AST