Confucius Institute UMPSA

UMPSA Student Crowned Champion at the 25th Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition for Malaysian University Students

Kuala Lumpur, 9 May 2026 – The Confucius Institute at Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) proudly congratulates student Afeef Hamizan for emerging as the Champion in the University Category at The 25th Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition for Malaysian University Students.

The final round of the competition was recently held at Kong Zi Institute, Universiti Malaya under the theme “One World, One Family.” Outstanding Chinese language learners from Confucius Institutes across Malaysia gathered to demonstrate their language proficiency and cultural understanding through prepared speeches, cultural performances, and impromptu speaking sessions.

Representing the Confucius Institute, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), students Afeef Hamizan and Jiveetha delivered remarkable performances and received high praise from both judges and audiences.

During the impromptu speech segment, Afeef shared his inspiring journey of learning the Chinese language, expressing heartfelt appreciation for the teachers who guided him and recounting meaningful experiences throughout his learning process. His sincere storytelling, confident delivery, and strong stage presence impressed the judges and ultimately secured him the championship title.

Following this achievement, Afeef will represent Malaysia at the global finals in China.

This success also reflects the dedication and commitment of the trainers and instructors who guided the students throughout the competition preparation process. Ms. Leong Hui Theng, trainer for Afeef Hamizan, was honoured with the Outstanding Instructor Award in recognition of her excellent guidance and unwavering support. Meanwhile, Madam Yong Ying Mei, who served as trainer for Jiveetha, also played an important role in preparing and mentoring the student for the competition.

This accomplishment once again highlights the outstanding teaching achievements of the UMPSA Confucius Institute and reflects the growing enthusiasm among Malaysian youth towards the Chinese language and Chinese culture.

Congratulations once again to Afeef Hamizan, Jiveetha, Ms. Leong Hui Theng, and Madam Yong Ying Mei on this remarkable achievement. We wish Afeef continued success at the global finals and look forward to seeing him shine on the international stage.

Malaysia International Chinese Language Teachers' Teaching Competition & Confucius Institute Joint Conference 2026 Concludes Successfully at CI UMS

KOTA KINABALU, 8 May 2026 – The 2026 Malaysia International Chinese Language Teachers' Teaching Competition & Confucius Institute Joint Conference officially concluded today at SMART SPACE, PPIB, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS). The two-day event, held from 7 to 8 May 2026, brought together Chinese language educators and Confucius Institute (CI) leaders from across Malaysia.

A delegation from the CI UMPSA, led by Chinese Director Prof. Dr. Li Lijun and Malaysian Director Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Lee Khai Loon, together with volunteer teachers Jiang Hanshi, Wang Yuru, and Jia Huizi, was invited to the Confucius Institute at the University of Sabah to attend the 2 days " 2026 International Chinese Language Teacher Competition and Confucius Institute Joint Conference." This trip was not only a journey to a competition but also a convergence of ideas and a gathering of friendships.

On the morning of May 7, the opening ceremony was held in the PPIB Activity Room at the University of Sabah. Professor He Zhongwen, a board member of the Sabah Confucius Institute, delivered a speech. Eighteen participating teachers from six Confucius Institutes across Malaysia competed in areas such as instructional design, classroom interaction, and the application of AI, embodying the principle of "promoting teaching through competition." In the teaching competition segment, the three teachers from CI UMPSA presented lessons on international Chinese language classrooms. Drawing on real teaching scenarios, they demonstrated clear teaching logic, rich lesson designs, and a strong focus on interaction and learner engagement. Their performances fully reflected solid teaching fundamentals and excellent classroom management skills, showcasing the proactive and professional demeanor of the volunteer teachers at CI UMPSA. They received high praise from the on-site judges and the directors of various Confucius Institutes.

During the talent showcase on May 8, Jia Huizi created a traditional Chinese painting titled Lotus Flowers. Using brush and ink, she vividly interpreted the charm of Chinese painting through the imagery of the lotus, which "emerges unstained from the mud," earning warm applause from guests and colleagues from other Confucius Institutes. This segment was not just an artistic display but also showed the talent of VLT at CI UMPSA and the achievements in promoting traditional Chinese culture overseas.

During the Confucius Institute Joint Conference, China Director Prof. Dr. Li Lijun and Malaysian Director Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Lee Khai Loon of the CI UMPSA held productive exchanges with Educational Counselor Zhao Changtao from the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia, officials from the Sabah Education Department, and leaders of other Confucius Institutes. All parties agreed that in light of the new circumstances, Confucius Institutes should strengthen regional collaboration, share high-quality resources, and deepen cooperation.

Focusing on the hot topic of "Chinese+," Teacher Jiang Hanshi from the CI UMPSA, as a representative, shared practical experiences from the CI UMPSA in exploring the "Chinese + vocational skills" teaching model, tailored to local characteristics, during the "Chinese+" thematic seminar. This presentation offered a deep integration of Chinese language education with local societal needs.

This trip to Sabah not only strengthened the ties between the CI UMPSA and its sister institutions in Malaysia but also provided valuable experience for the future connotative development of the CI UMPSA. The CI UMPSA will continue to uphold the principle of openness and cooperation, continuously improve the quality of its education, and make new contributions to promoting people-to-people and cultural exchanges and mutual understanding between China and Malaysia.

SM Sains Dungun Visit to UMPSA Runs Smoothly, Strengthening Interest in Chinese Language and Culture

PEKAN, 29 April 2026 – Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), through its Confucius Institute (CI), officially received a visit from Sekolah Menengah Sains Dungun involving a total of 61 students and 5 accompanying teachers in an educational and cultural programme held successfully at the UMPSA Pekan campus today.

The programme, which began as early as 9:30 AM, started with the arrival of students and teachers, followed by a breakfast session at DiTec. Participants were then brought on a visit to the Faculty of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technology (FTKEE) to provide early exposure to the learning environment and academic facilities at UMPSA.

The event continued with the Opening Ceremony of the SM Sains Dungun Visit to UMPSA, held at Training Hall 1, DiTec. During the ceremony, a welcoming speech was delivered by the Director of the Confucius Institute (Malaysia), Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Lee Khai Loon. A speech was also delivered by the representative of Sekolah Menengah Sains Dungun, Puan Norli Binti Draman, who serves as the school counselor.

Subsequently, participants were given briefings on the Dual Degree Programme as well as the Mandarin Proficiency Test (HSK), providing insights into academic opportunities and the importance of mastering the Mandarin language in today’s global landscape.

The highlight of the programme was the Chinese language and cultural activities conducted by Mandarin language teachers from the Confucius Institute UMPSA. Interactive activities such as plum blowing, Chinese calligraphy, and traditional Chinese games successfully captured the students’ interest while offering a fun and meaningful learning experience.

The programme concluded with a souvenir presentation session, a photography session, and a lunch gathering before participants dispersed at 2:00 PM.

Overall, the programme successfully achieved its objective of introducing the university environment to school students while fostering interest in the Chinese language and culture through a relaxed and interactive learning approach.

KUANTAN, 18 April 2026 – The Confucius Institute at Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (CI UMPSA) successfully organized The 2026 Malaysia International Chinese Teacher Teaching Competition – UMPSA Preliminary at Grand DarulMakmur Hotel, Kuantan.

The competition focused on Mandarin language teaching techniques and creativity, involving 10 volunteer Mandarin teachers from CI UMPSA. The program served as a preliminary round to select the best representatives to advance to the next stage of the competition.

The top three participants with the highest scores will proceed to the next stage at the Confucius Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, which will be held from 6–8 May 2026.

The program began with an opening speech by Prof. Li Lijun, China Director of the Confucius Institute UMPSA, who expressed appreciation to the participants and judges while highlighting the importance of enhancing the quality of Mandarin language teaching in Malaysia.

The competition was evaluated by three invited judges: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Low Hiang Loon from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam, Dr. Fan P*k Shy from Universiti Malaya, and Dr. Liew Hui Nee from Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL), all of whom are experienced experts in language education.

Among the objectives of the program were to enhance the pedagogical skills of Mandarin language teachers, encourage the sharing of creative and effective teaching methods, and strengthen academic collaboration among educational institutions in promoting Mandarin language learning.

In addition, the competition aimed to identify talented teachers who have the potential to represent the institute at national and international levels, thereby improving the overall standard of Mandarin language teaching among educators.

In the competition, Ms. Wang Yuru was crowned Champion, followed by Ms. Jia Huizi as First Runner-up, while Mr. Jiang Hanshi secured Third Place.

Overall, the program provided a valuable platform for teachers to showcase their teaching abilities and creativity, while also reinforcing the role of the Confucius Institute UMPSA as a center of excellence in Mandarin language teaching and learning in Malaysia.

Assalamualaikum & greetings,

Registration for the HSK & HSKK Exam 2026 at CI UMPSA is now open. The exam will be held on 16 May 2026.

Available levels:
• HSK Level 2
• HSK Level 3 & HSKK (Speaking)

Kindly assist in sharing the attached poster with students and staff in your department/programme.

Thank you for your support.

16 Students Participate in Chinese Bridge Competition at UMPSA Gambang

GAMBANG, 12 April 2026 – A total of 16 students took part in the 25th Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition – UMPSA Preliminary, held at Dewan Tun Fatimah, UMPSA Gambang. The competition was organized by the Confucius Institute UMPSA as part of its continuous effort to promote Chinese language learning and cultural appreciation among students.

The event commenced with an opening speech by Prof. Li Lijun (Director China, Confucius Institute), who highlighted the growing importance of Chinese language proficiency in today’s global landscape. She also encouraged participants to actively engage in such platforms to enhance their communication skills and cultural understanding.

A distinguished panel of judges was invited to evaluate the participants, comprising Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Lee Khai Loon (Director Malaysia, Confucius Institute), Prof. Li Lijun (Director China, Confucius Institute), and Madam Nor Rabiatul Adawiyah (Mandarin Language Lecturer, Kolej Vokasional Kuantan). The competition featured several segments, including public speaking, talent performance, and assessments on Chinese cultural knowledge.

Throughout the event, participants showcased commendable enthusiasm, confidence, and linguistic ability, reflecting their dedication and preparation for the competition.

The results of the competition are as follows:

Champion: Siti Nur Sabrina binti Junidi

1st Runner-Up: Afeef Hamizan bin Mohd Huzaizi

2nd Runner-Up: Jiveetha A/P Ravi

The program is expected to continue serving as a meaningful platform for students to develop their talents and deepen their interest in the Chinese language and culture, while strengthening cultural ties between Malaysia and China.

Confucius Institute UMPSA Successfully Conducts Mandarin Proficiency Test for 37 Candidates

Pekan, 11 April 2026 – A total of 37 candidates participated in the Mandarin Proficiency Test (HSK and HSKK) held at the Chinese Test Center, Confucius Institute (CI), Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA).

The examination aims to assess participants’ proficiency in the Mandarin language, involving candidates from diverse backgrounds, including secondary school students and university undergraduates.

A total of 19 candidates were from Sekolah Menengah Imtiaz Yayasan Terengganu, representing two campuses in Marang and Besut. Among them, 4 candidates from Besut and 7 candidates from Marang sat for the HSK Level 2 examination during the morning session. In addition, 4 candidates from UMPSA also took the HSK Level 2 test.

The morning session also included the HSK Level 4 and HSKK Intermediate examinations, with participation from 2 students of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Abdul Rahman Talib and 4 UMPSA students.

The examination continued in the afternoon session with the HSK Level 3 test. This session involved 8 students from SMIYT Marang, as well as 8 students from the dual degree programme between UMPSA and its partner universities in China, namely Beijing Jiaotong University (BJTU) and Tianjin University (TJU).

Overall, the participation of 37 candidates marks an important milestone in evaluating their Mandarin language proficiency. The HSK examination is an internationally recognized test designed to assess the Mandarin language competency of non-native speakers in areas such as listening and reading comprehension.

The Confucius Institute (CI) would like to extend our warmest wishes of Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Maaf Zahir dan Batin.

May this blessed Syawal bring happiness, peace, and prosperity to everyone, and further strengthen the spirit of unity and camaraderie among the university community.

May all the good deeds performed throughout the month of Ramadan be accepted and blessed.

Thank you.

Hari Raya greetings 🌙✨

Mandarin Language Course Intake Now Open

Join our Mandarin classes organized by Confucius Institute, UMPSA. Open to students, staff, and the public

🗓 Duration: 6 April 2026 – 10 June 2026
⏰ Total: 40 hours
📌 Limited slots available (minimum 5 participants required)

💬 Register now by scanning the QR code!
For enquiries: [email protected]
📞 | 09-4315019