University Partnership of the Confucius Institute: A Case Study in Canada
Abstract
This study aims to explore the university partnership of the Confucius Institute between its partner from Canada and China. Drawing on organizational theory through the lens of higher education partnerships, the study uses a qualitative research method with a case study approach. Taking the Confucius Institute in a Canadian university as a case, the study probes into research questions regarding the nature and characteristics of the partnership built via the Confucius Institute as the platform, the key stakeholders involved in the partnership of the Confucius Institute, and in what ways have the key stakeholders shaped the partnership. Data were collected through the documents of the Confucius Institute and a semi-structured interview with the Canadian co-director. Key issues revealed from the data are the partnership mechanism of the Confucius Institute, dynamic interactions between the various key stakeholders in different stages of the partnership, in what perspectives the inside and outside stakeholders influence partnership building and the common objectives fulfillment of both partner universities. Discussions on the coping strategies to advance the partnership of the Confucius Institute are also provided in this study. Further, the author concludes with proper implications for the development of the Confucius model partnership based on the findings.