Romanian Studies in Pakistan
The Romanian Studies Program has been inaugurated in Pakistan.
Radio România Internațional, 23.12.2025, 12:27
The Embassy of Romania in Pakistan and the Romanian Language Institute, jointly with the National University of Modern Languages have inaugurated the Romanian Studies Program in Pakistan, an academic premiere. The inauguration ceremony took place on December 23, 2025, at NUML Islamabad, in the presence of Romania’s Ambassador in Pakistan, PhD Dan Stoenescu and of the Rector of NUML, Maj. Gen. Shahid Mahmood Kayani. Attending were also PhD Oana Ursache, Romanian language lecturer, and PhD Huma Hayat Khan, Director of the National and International Relations Office.
The event marks an academic premiere, the introduction of the study of Romanian language and literature as well as of Romanian cultural studies in Pakistan’s leading multilingual academic environment. By becoming the first university in Pakistan to offer Romanian language courses, NUML reconfirms its role as a space where languages do not only coexist but actively engage in a cultural dialogue, responding to a growing global interest in cultural depth, intellectual diversity and the humanities.
Developed in partnership with the Romanian Language Institute and supported by the Romanian Embassy in Pakistan, the program goes beyond the framework of a simple language course. It creates an interdisciplinary academic space that integrates linguistic training, literature, translation, history and cultural studies, positioning Romania into a broader European and South Asian intellectual dialogue. Students are invited not only to learn Romanian, but also to explore a cultural landscape shaped by history, memory, creativity and resilience.
Ambassador Dan Stoenescu has expressed his appreciation to the Romanian Language Institute, the Romanian Cultural Institute and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania for their continued support and commitment to carry out this significant project.
The Romanian Embassy has donated a collection of books to NUML, including volumes in Romanian and English on Romanian culture, history, civilization, art and literature. The donation has been made with the support of the Romanian Cultural Institute and of the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, further strengthening the academic foundations of the NUML Department of Romanian Studies.
The Romanian Studies Program will be coordinated by PhD Oana Ursache, specializing in comparative literature, culturology as well as Hispanic, Oriental, pre-Columbian and Arabic literatures. Boasting an extensive academic experience in Romania, Spain and the USA, PhD Ursache has chosen NUML Islamabad to establish a new Center of Romanian Studies, further enhancing the university’s academic profile.
The introduction of Romanian language courses is set to strengthen bilateral relations and foster deeper cultural and academic understanding between Romania and Pakistan. With Pakistan’s population approaching a quarter of a billion inhabitants, the initiative represents a unique opportunity to expand academic cooperation and promote cultural diplomacy
