On July 3, 2024, under the joint witness of the heads of state of China and Kazakhstan, the unveiling ceremony of Beijing Language and Culture University Kazakhstan (BLCU Kazakhstan) was solemnly held at the Presidential Palace of the Republic of Kazakhstan. That afternoon, Chinese Minister of Education Huai Jinpeng, accompanied by Minister of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan Sayasat Nurbek, visited the branch campus, where he listened to a report by President Duan Peng on BLCU’s educational achievements and the development plan of the branch. He also gave important instructions regarding the future development of the university. The establishment of the branch is a landmark achievement in BLCU’s internationalization efforts and a significant milestone in China-Kazakhstan educational cooperation.
BLCU Kazakhstanis jointly established by Beijing Language and Culture University and Astana International University, aiming to recruit international students from abroad and provide academic education from preparatory programs to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Its operational model involves the Kazakh side providing physical infrastructure, while the Chinese side provides teaching staff and curricular support. Currently, the branch has one dean from each side (Chinese and Kazakh), four full-time teachers (two dispatched by the Chinese side and two hired by the Kazakh side), and one administrative staff member from Kazakhstan. One hundred students have registered, and teaching activities officially began on October 1. On October 14, a grand opening ceremony for the new students was held, attended by a delegation led by BLCU leaders, leaders from both universities, representatives from the Chinese Embassy in Kazakhstan, staff, media, and over 70 new student representatives.
Teaching and learning are the core tasks of the branch campus. Based on the actual situation in Kazakhstan and student needs, the first cohort is divided into six teaching classes (13–20 students per class), with small-class instruction to ensure learning effectiveness. In this semester, three courses are offered:Chinese Language(6 credits),Chinese Reading and Writing(3 credits), and Classical Chinese Poetry and Culture(3 credits). These courses are led by Chinese teachers as course coordinators, who work collaboratively with local teachers, aiming to strengthen students’ Chinese language foundation and deepen their understanding of classical Chinese poetry and culture. The branch is equipped with multimedia classrooms and a Chinese library to meet current teaching needs. In the future, more professional courses, cultural experience activities, and academic lectures will be introduced to promote students’ all-round development.
BLCU has provided strong support in teaching materials for the branch. In June 2024, the university press donated more than 200 types of high-quality textbooks and teaching materials—totaling 856 volumes—covering areas such as language learning, cultural knowledge, and academic subjects, along with over 1,000 sets of cultural and creative products. In September, to enhance initial support, the university additionally donated 240 copies of Er Ya Chinese – Elementary Integrated Chinese Course, which were distributed free of charge to the first cohort of students, effectively enriching the educational resources and laying a solid foundation for improving teaching quality.
In the next phase, the branch campus will focus on advancing several key areas of work: strengthening the development of a local teaching team—not only dispatching teachers from China, but also selecting and training local teachers and offering opportunities for further study and exchange; promoting the development of localized teaching materials—creating Chinese textbooks and digital resources that align with local students’ habits and cultural backgrounds; enhancing degree program enrollment—cooperating with local high schools to establish student source bases, conducting in-depth research to design courses tailored to demand (such as preparatory programs and HSK intensive training), promoting dual-campus study models, and striving for scholarship support, with plans to launch master’s and doctoral programs at an appropriate time; applying to establish an HSK test center to meet the testing needs of Chinese learners at the branch and in surrounding areas, aiming to become a key hub for Chinese proficiency testing in Kazakhstan.
In the future, BLCU Kazakhstan will continue to play a leading and radiating role, working hand in hand with partners in Kazakhstan and across Central Asia to implement the guidance of the two heads of state. By using language as a bridge and fostering mutual learning and understanding, the university aspires to become a high-level educational institution with international influence, cultivating elite talents who are proficient in Chinese and knowledgeable about Chinese culture, and making significant contributions to educational and cultural exchange between China and Kazakhstan.
Tokyo College of Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) was approved by the Chinese Ministry of Education in December 2014 and authorized by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology on April 1, 2015. Established in partnership with WEWORLD Corporation (formerly ISI Corporation), a distinguished Japanese education group, the college offers four-year undergraduate degree programs exclusively for non-Chinese citizens residing in Japan.
The college offers two majors: Chinese Language and Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages (TCSOL). The Chinese Language major includes four specializations: Chinese Language, International Economics and Trade, Japanese-Chinese Bilingual Studies, and English-Chinese Bilingual Studies. Students who complete the required credits, pass assessments, and successfully defend their thesis are awarded a Bachelor’s Degree Certificate and a Graduation Certificate in Chinese Language by BLCU. To date, the college has graduated 380 students and currently enrolls 255 students.
Meeting societal demands, Tokyo College has achieved a 100% employment rate since 2023 for graduates seeking jobs in Japan. Graduates have secured positions in diverse sectors, including aviation, international hospitality, commerce, trade, and consulting, earning widespread industry acclaim.
BLCU dispatches one dean and one faculty member to the college, while WEWORLD Corporation employs 50 dedicated staff and faculty members to ensure efficient operations and high-quality teaching.
In 2024, Tokyo College expanded its efforts in social engagement, institutional promotion, and teaching research, successfully organizing 12 impactful events: friendly exchanges and promotional activities with Japanese high schools and universities to foster mutual understanding and collaboration;lectures on Chinese culture and history to deepen students’ understanding of Chinese civilization; a summer camp for Japanese high school students, offering enriching learning experiences; teacher training programs at BLCU’s main campus to enhance teaching skills and methodologies.
These initiatives have strengthened ties with local educational institutions and communities, significantly enhanced the college’s influence and teaching quality, and solidified its position in the education sector. Through these dynamic activities, Tokyo College demonstrates its vibrant educational mission and commitment to excellence.
Beijing Language and Culture University Bangkok College (Bangkok College) was established on December 15, 2001, as a joint initiative between Beijing Language and Culture University and Assumption Business Administration College of Thailand. The college officially launchedin July 2002, targeting non-Chinese nationals residing in Thailand.
At the undergraduate level, Bangkok College offers three programs:Chinese Language (with a focus on Business and Trade), International Economics and Trade, and International Chinese Education (with the majority of students currently pursuing the Business and Trade track). At themaster’s level, the college offers a program in International Chinese Education. Students who complete the required academic hoursand earn the designated credits are awarded degrees jointly issued by BLCU and Krirk University. As of the end of 2024, the college has produced a total of 747 graduates from degree programs and trained over 5,000 non-degree learners, with 49 students currently enrolled.
Currently, the college appoints one Chinese dean and one Chinese teacher, working alongside 13 Thai faculty and administrative staff. While focusing on high-quality teaching, Bangkok College also places great emphasis on expanding its social impact and actively participates in local educational and cultural exchange initiatives. Since September 2024, the college has organized and participated in a range of academic and cultural activities, such as conducting research on Chinese language teaching at the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce’s “Zhongzhong School”, attending the “Thailand–China Investment Opportunities: Business Matching Seminar”, and participating in the Seminar on Chinese Language Education in Thai Universities, where the college delivered keynote speeches.
In the fall of 2024, the college also hosted a series of themed events, including the Chinese Teaching Demonstration Workshop and Introduction to Modern Educational Technology for Chinese Language Instruction. It took part in the opening ceremony of the “Chinese Teaching Heroes” Thailand regional contest and the “Chinese Characters Carnival” Bangkok exhibition. On social media, supported by the media department of its Thai partner university, the college launched live promotional broadcasts on Facebook, attracting over 3,000 viewers and fostering active engagement.
In addition, Bangkok College continues to strengthen collaboration with peer institutions and local organizations. It has conducted exchanges and roundtable discussions with institutions such as the Thai-Singapore International School, the Confucius Institute at Mahidol University, and the Thai Alumni Association of Chinese Universities. These engagements have helped broaden perspectives in international Chinese education and enhance teaching adaptability. In February 2025, the dual-degree undergraduate program jointly launched by the college and Krirk University ranked first in the recommended Chinese language programs on Thailand’s popular higher education platform AdmissionPremium.com, reflecting the college’s teaching quality and brand influence. In March 2025, faculty and students were invited to participate in the 4th China–Thailand Forum on Culture, Translation, and Publishing, hosted by the Confucius Institute at Chulalongkorn University, further deepening academic exchange.
Through continuous innovation in education and active participation in socio-cultural initiatives, Bangkok College has gradually become a model of China–Thailand educational cooperation and a vital platform for cultural exchange between the two nations. Looking ahead, the college will continue to uphold the philosophy of “Connecting through Language, Understanding through Communication”, and strive to build an internationally influential center for Chinese languageeducation.
Launched in June 2020, the BLCU Saudi Arabia Program is a collaborative two-year associate degree program in Business Chinese, established with Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU) in Saudi Arabia. As BLCU’s first overseas degree-granting initiative in the Middle East, it targets non-Chinese citizens residing in Saudi Arabia. Students complete their studies entirely in Saudi Arabia and, upon successful completion, are awarded an associate degree certificate by Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU).
BLCU dispatches one faculty member, while PNU employs two local instructors to support the program. To date, the program has graduated 39 students and currently enrolls 32 students.
In December 2022, student Nadan, a key contributor to a letter from Saudi youth to Chinese President Xi Jinping, received a warm reply from the President and was featured in interviews with major media outlets. In July and September 2023, PNU sent delegations to participate in Chinese language study programs organized by BLCU, further strengthening educational ties.
