McMaster has given official notice that the Confucius Institute at the University will be closed when its current term is completed this summer. The Institute was developed in conjunction with the Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU).

Instructors for the Institute are chosen in China and are sent to McMaster to teach Chinese language, and culture. Concerns were raised that the hiring decisions in China did not reflect the normal hiring practices of the University. Numerous discussions were held with BLCU officials to consider possible solutions but a satisfactory resolution could not be found.

Both Senate and the Board of Governors have been updated on the University’s intention to withdraw from the agreement as of July 31, 2013.This will ensure that no further instructors are selected for McMaster and that students who take programs through the Institute are able to complete their current sessions. The University is looking at options to gauge ongoing community interest in Chinese language courses at the postsecondary level.

McMaster opened its Confucius Institute in 2008.