Life in China on show at CPIT

Life in China on show at CPIT

CPIT launched an eye-opening Chinese photography exhibition in the Rakaia Atrium today in association with the Chinese Consulate General for the People’s Republic of China in Christchurch.

CPIT Chief Executive Kay Giles, Consulate General Madame Tan Xiutian and Cultural Consul Mr Xu Zhijie will carry out an official walk-through of the exhibition this Wednesday 27 February which features over 60 works from a variety of Chinese photographers. The exhibition offers a unique reflection on recent cultural achievements in China and also gives an insight into everyday Chinese life.

“This exhibition of Chinese photographs is an excellent way to celebrate the wonderful diversity we have in our student population here on campus at CPIT. Over 300 students from China choose to study at CPIT every year and we embrace their colourful culture,” Beth Knowles, CPIT International Director says.

CPIT has very close ties with the Chinese community in Christchurch and abroad; with regular events supported by the Chinese Consulate-General, membership to the NZ China Friendship Society, a Confucius Institute Resource Centre on campus and relationships with sister cities Wuhan and Lanzhou in China. Hosting this exhibition is an opportunity to celebrate and share these relationships and Chinese culture on campus.

“CPIT is a very influential and reputable educational institution...The staff are very friendly [to the] Chinese students who are studying here [and] the Chinese Consulate General is on very good terms with CPIT. We hope the people in Christchurch can learn more about Chinese culture through [this] photo exhibition,” Mr Xu Zhijie says.

CPIT is committed to increasing understanding between China and New Zealand. Staff and students take an active part in Chinese celebrations including the Chinese New Year and Lantern Festival in Christchurch, the Chinese language is taught at CPIT and student exchanges to and from Chinese partner institutions are promoted. Many Chinese students also choose to come to CPIT to study English and then move into other programmes.

“Our Chinese students are focused on successful employment outcomes from their study and we have some great graduate profiles in areas as diverse as Nursing, Engineering, ICT, and Accounting… It is also very important that we don’t just receive Chinese students for education here but offer New Zealand students the opportunity to go to China for educational purposes too,” Knowles says.

The Chinese photography exhibition is just one of many cultural exhibitions and performances that will be held throughout the year at CPIT in celebration of the diversity on campus. The exhibition is open to the public from midday Monday 25 February until Monday 11 March in the Rakaia Atrium at the Madras Street Campus. Opening hours: 8am to 6pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 4.30pm on Fridays.

ENDS

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