The Rector of the University of Iceland has signed a new five-year contract on running the Northern Light Confucius Institute under the auspices of the University. The contract is made with Hanban in Beijing, China; the University's partner university regarding the Northern Lights Confucius Institute.
The contract stipulates that Hanban will continue to support Northern Light's operations by sending teaching staff to Iceland to teach Chinese at the University of Iceland, as well as providing resources for cultural activities. The University of Iceland provides the institute with housing and facilities for teaching, lectures, and cultural events organised by Northern Light.
The Northern Light Confucius Institute was formally founded in May 2008 and is comparable to over 500 similar institutes run all over the world. The Northern Light Confucius Institute employs six Icelandic and Chinese teachers as well as an Icelandic and Chinese director. Further information on the institute can be found on its website.