2010 Press Releases
22.10.2010
UCC President, Dr Michael Murphy and Cllr Michael O’Connell, Lord Mayor of Cork, hosted a farewell reception for the Cork School Principals’ Delegation recently at UCC.
Professor Fan Hong, Head of School of Asian Studies at UCC and Director of the UCC Confucius Institute, Dr Zhu Yanwei, Co-Director of the UCC Confucius Institute, joined the reception and bid farewell to the delegation which comprised of 13 principals and teachers from 11 schools in Cork. The delegation will travel to China today (October 22nd 2010) for an eight-day visit. The purpose of the visit is to strengthen the collaboration between schools in Shanghai and Cork, as set out in the Sister City Agreement. The trip is funded by UCC Confucius Institut
The delegation will visit the Confucius Institute Headquarters in Beijing and brief their work of introducing Chinese language and culture in their schools. The delegation will then travel to Shanghai to visit the National Training Center for High School Principals in East China Normal University. The principals will visit their twin schools in Shanghai and, for those without twin schools, it is an opportunity to link with potential sister schools.
UCC President, Dr Michael Murphy commented that China is very important to Ireland’s Asia Strategy and UCC’s Strategic Plan. Chinese language is being taught in 32 schools in Cork City and County through the Confucius Institute at UCC, enabling Ireland's young generation to take the future opportunities.
The members of the delegation include:
- Seán Aodan, Deputy Principal of Scoil Mnuire Fatima
- Eileen Lombard, Deputy Principal of St. Patrick’s College
- Margaret Corcoran, Principal of Regina Mundi College
- Frances Hurley, Deputy Principal of Christ King Secondary School
- Redmond Jennings, Deputy Principal of St John’s Central College
- Anthony Walsh, Principal of Mayfield Community School
- Kieran Golden, Deputy Principal of Mayfield Community School
- Aidan Twomey, Deputy Principal of Presentation College
- Regina Moran, Principal of Scoil Mhuire
- Teresa Meginn, Science Teacher of Scoil Mhuire
- Olivia Leonard, Guidance counselor of ST Aloysius Secondary School
- Simon Thompson, Principal of Midleton College
- Ted Owens, CEO of Cork Vocational Education Committee
Picture: Cork School Principals prior to their departure to China with UCC President, Dr Michael Murphy and Professor Fan Hong, Head of School of Asian Studies at UCC and Director of the UCC Confucius Institute.