The Embassy of Romania in Pakistan, in collaboration with the Institute of the Romanian Language and the National University of Modern Languages (NUML), has inaugurated the first-ever Romanian Studies program in Pakistan, marking a historic milestone in academic and cultural exchange between South Asia and Central-Eastern Europe.
The ceremony was held on Tuesday, 23 December 2025, at NUML Islamabad, attended by Ambassador Dr. Dan Stoenescu, NUML Rector Maj. Gen. Shahid Mahmood Kayani, the Dean of the Faculty of Languages Professor Dr. Jamil Asghar Jami, Director General Brigadier Muhammad Rafiq Khan, Dr. Huma Hayat Khan, members of the university faculty, representatives of the Romanian diaspora, and diplomats.
This initiative introduces Romanian language, literature, and culture into Pakistanโs multilingual academic landscape for the first time, with NUML becoming the first university in the country to offer formal Romanian language courses. The program aims to create an interdisciplinary space where linguistic training, literature, translation, history, and cultural studies intersect, promoting dialogue between Romania and Pakistan. Students will not only learn the Romanian language but also explore a cultural heritage shaped by historical crossroads, creativity, resilience, and European intellectual traditions.
As part of the launch, the Embassy of Romania donated a curated collection of books to NUML, featuring volumes in both Romanian and English on Romanian culture, history, civilization, art, and literature. The donation was supported by the Romanian Cultural Institute and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania, reinforcing the academic foundations of Romanian Studies at NUML.
The Romanian Studies program will be led by Dr. Oana Ursache, a Doctor of Philology specializing in comparative literature, culturology, and Hispanic, Oriental, Pre-Columbian, and Arabic literatures. Dr. Ursache brings extensive international teaching experience, having previously served at ศtefan cel Mare University of Suceava, the University of Alicante, the University of Granada, and Arizona State University, and has also served as Secretary of State at the Department for Romanians Abroad. She will coordinate the new Center of Romanian Studies at NUML Islamabad, elevating the universityโs academic profile.
Ambassador Dan Stoenescu expressed gratitude to the Institute of the Romanian Language, the Romanian Cultural Institute, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania for supporting the initiative, highlighting its potential to strengthen cultural diplomacy and academic collaboration.
The introduction of Romanian language courses in Pakistan is expected to foster stronger bilateral ties and deeper cultural understanding between Romania and Pakistan, offering unique opportunities for students and scholars in a country approaching a population of 250 million.
By establishing Romanian Studies at NUML, the initiative reflects a commitment to linguistic diversity, intercultural understanding, and the promotion of humanities education in Pakistan, opening a new chapter in academic cooperation and cultural exchange.
