On April 25, Romania’s first Confucius Institute featuring Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) was inaugurated. The institute was jointly established by HUST and Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi. Present at the unveiling ceremony were Ma Jianhui, Vice Chair of the University Committee, Han Chunlin, Chinese Ambassador to Romania, Viorel Scripcariu, Rector of Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi, as well as Chinese and foreign deans of the Confucius Institute.

At the unveiling ceremony, Ma Jianhui stated that Romania’s first Confucius Institute featuring TCM can not only enhance the Romanian people's understanding of China, but also cultivate more multidisciplinary talents through the integration of medicine and education. The two sides will take this opportunity to deepen cooperation, strengthen cultural exchanges, and promote scientific research cooperation.

Viorel Scripcariu expressed that as the first Confucius Institute with a focus on TCM, the establishment of the institute is of profound significance for Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi. He hopes that this platform will become a center for Romanian-Chinese language and cultural exchange in Iasi, ushering in a new chapter in TCM education and acting as a bridge of collaboration between the two universities.

Han Chunlin, China's ambassador to Romania, hails the establishment of the Confucius Institute as a significant achievement in the cultural exchange and cooperation between China and Romania. He expressed his hope that the institute will become a hub for innovation in medical education and Chinese language teaching, training more multidisciplinary talents equipped with both medical expertise and fluency in Chinese.

Zhao Lingshan, Vice President and Secretary-General of Chinese International Education Foundation (CIEF), delivered a video speech. He hopes that the institute can leverage the resources of both institutions, with Chinese language teaching as its foundation and TCM as its hallmark, to provide high-quality Chinese education for local people, and foster cultural exchange and collaboration between China and Romania.

During the event, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi and HUST held strategic negotiations and signed a collaboration agreement.

Originally established as the Iasi Medical College in 1879, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi is the top-ranked medical school in Romania. The Confucius Institute at Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi is the first Confucius Institute in the country that features Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and also the first one established in northeastern Romania.

Written by: Yu Shiyun

Edited by: Zhang Shiyu, Chang Wen, Peng Yumeng