How the Institute’s Award Reflects Growing Chinese Language Interest in Georgia
In October 2025, Alte University’s Confucius Institute earned a top honor at the “2025 CI Moments Global Short Video Collection Event.” The short‑video project titled “Tea and Chinese Characters Across Mountains and Seas” captured the attention of judges worldwide, earning the grand prize and spotlighting the Institute’s expanding influence in the field of Chinese language and culture education.
What Is the CI Moments Competition?
The CI Moments event, organised annually by the China International Education Foundation (CIEF), invites students, teachers and cultural creators from Confucius Institutes worldwide to produce short films that showcase Chinese learning in creative ways. Winners receive recognition, monetary awards, and opportunities to collaborate with partners such as media firms and educational publishers.
Why the Award Matters for Georgia’s Education Landscape
This achievement is the latest milestone in a series of successful outreach initiatives carried out by Alte University’s Confucius Institute. The Institute has steadily increased the number of enrolled students in its language courses—now serving over 1,200 participants across undergraduate, graduate, and continuing‑education programmes. The award demonstrates that Georgian students and scholars can produce work that matches, and even exceeds, international standards.
Key Elements of the Winning Short‑Video
“Tea and Chinese Characters Across Mountains and Seas” blends visual storytelling with linguistic instruction. The video follows a Georgian learner touring tea plantations and Chinese history sites, while Chinese characters relating to tea culture appear on screen. The structure is simple yet effective:
- Introduction of the theme: Chinese tea as a cultural bridge.
- Demonstration of character writing using calligraphic strokes.
- Interactive moments where the viewer is prompted to repeat pronunciations.
- Conclusion that links the historical context with contemporary cultural exchange.
Its 90‑second runtime satisfies the competition’s constraints while maintaining depth—an excellent balance between educational content and viewer engagement.
Enrollment Growth: A Direct Outcome of Visible Achievement
Since the Institute opened its doors in 2017, course rosters have grown by roughly 15% each year. The grand prize amplifies this trend, encouraging more students to register for Chinese language programmes. Registration statistics from the current semester show a 22% increase in new enrolments, including several first‑year university students who applied within the first week of the release.
Impact on the Student Body
Students report heightened motivation: “Seeing our institute win in Beijing made me feel proud to study Chinese here,” said Ana, a junior at the institute. Such sentiment translates into higher course completion rates and a flourishing extracurricular community centered on Chinese cultural clubs.
Strengthening Partnerships with Lanzhou University
Alte University’s Confucius Institute has a long‑standing collaboration with Lanzhou University, which provides a range of benefits for local students:
- Scholarships: The joint scholarship fund supports emerging scholars who wish to undertake research in Chinese studies or comparative cultural fields.
- Summer Camps: Annual intensive camps host around 100 participants, combining classroom learning with field visits to China‑related heritage sites.
- Exchange Programs: Students can spend a semester at Lanzhou University, gaining immersive experience while enriching their academic portfolio.
These programmes are now highlighted on the Institute’s open‑study portal, offering an easily navigable interface for potential applicants to browse dates, requirements, and application deadlines.
Practical Ways to Engage with the Institute’s Success
While the award has already created buzz, there are concrete steps students can take to maximise the benefits:
- Visit the official Confucius Institute page to view teaching resources and upcoming events.
- Leverage the current enrolment period to secure a spot in the next language batch.
- Check the Institute’s gallery of past projects for inspiration on how to create your own short‑video submissions.
- Explore scholarship and exchange details through the Institutional partnership portal.
- Connect with current students in the Institute’s Chinese Cultural Club via the university’s student network to learn first‑hand experiences of the programs.
Getting Involved in Future CI Moments Entries
Potential creators interested in participating in CI Moments can obtain more information from the Institute’s contact office. Producing a short video that incorporates language skills, cultural context and creativity is encouraged for those seeking to showcase their abilities on an international stage.
Next Steps for Prospective Students and Educators
Whether you are a student looking to deepen your Chinese knowledge or an educator seeking to expand your curriculum, Alte University’s Confucius Institute offers a distinctive platform. The institute’s recent award underscores proven quality, growing enrolment, and international partnership opportunities.
To stay informed about upcoming courses, scholarship openings, and exchange programmes, submit your application today. If you wish to discuss individual learning goals, schedule a free consultation with the language department.
Have questions or wish to share your own experience with the Confucius Institute? Write to us! Your feedback helps refine the Institute’s services and educational offerings.
For more stories on cultural exchange and language learning initiatives, explore our related articles and keep up with the latest developments.
In summary, the grand prize awarded to Alte University’s Confucius Institute at the CI Moments competition signals a broader recognition of Georgia’s dedication to Chinese cultural education. By participating in the Institute’s courses, scholarships, and exchange programmes, students and educators can capitalize on a world‑class learning environment rooted in genuine cross‑cultural collaboration.
