Tucked away within the confines of a secondary school in Malta, an extraordinary initiative is reshaping how students engage with and understand Chinese culture. This unique project, nestled within the walls of St. Margaret College Secondary School in Cospicua, Malta, is the brainchild of the devoted and visionary teacher, Mr. Martin Azzopardi. His creation, the Science China Corner, has shone as a beacon of multicultural education for over a decade.
The innovative teacher recently undertook a journey to China with eleven Maltese students, visiting Qufu in East China’s Shandong Province, the birthplace of the renowned Chinese philosopher Confucius. The trip has sparked new ideas in Azzopardi for upcoming projects.
“Having been there, I encountered aspects of the culture I hadn’t considered before,” Azzopardi noted, referencing discoveries like dragon skin roofs. “I aim to help my students decipher the symbolism present in numerous elements here.”
The journey to China materialized after Azzopardi and his students penned a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping in July 2022, extending their warm wishes for the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malta and China. In his reply, President Xi acknowledged the significant contribution of the China Corner in fostering an understanding of China among Maltese youth and promoting China-Malta friendship. He expressed his hope that Maltese teachers, students, and other young people would continue advocating for the mutual understanding of the two civilizations.
Cultural exchanges in China have left an indelible mark on Azzopardi and his students. The transformative impact is evident as students express their longing to extend their stay in China, a sentiment that has genuinely surprised the dedicated teacher.
The Science China Corner, through its cultural exchange programs, has served to strengthen ties between China and Malta. These geographically distant nations share a deep-seated desire for mutual understanding and friendship, which has been fostered by the innovative approach of the Science China Corner.
Inspired by his grandmother’s tales of Marco Polo and Chinese inventions, Azzopardi first visited China in 2010. Upon returning to Malta, he felt a pressing need to share his deep-seated love for Chinese culture with his students. This resulted in the incorporation of Chinese culture into his science curriculum, utilizing the Montessori method of teaching, and the subsequent establishment of the Science China Corner.
Over the past decade, the Science China Corner has hosted numerous impactful events. The science exhibition on China, established by Azzopardi, allows students from all departments to exhibit their research. Their findings have been published in local newspapers and shared on social media, enabling a wider audience to benefit from their projects.
Despite facing criticism and even losing friends, Azzopardi is determined to continue fostering cultural understanding. He firmly believes in teaching his students to be bridge-builders, not wall builders. This determination is reinforced by the support of the Chinese diplomatic community in Malta. Despite the growing antagonism against China from certain Western countries, Azzopardi is committed to his educational mission of promoting multiculturalism and broadening his students’ horizons.
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