Beijing, March 16: Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) has expanded its international language department by adding Punjabi to its extensive curriculum. The university has appointed Professor Zameerpal Kaur Sandhu Bajwa, a former dean from the Central University of Punjab in Bathinda, to spearhead the new program.
The addition of Punjabi marks a significant milestone for the institution, bringing its total number of taught languages to 102. BFSU already provides instruction in other Indian languages, including Hindi, Tamil, and Urdu. The program is primarily designed for Chinese students, as well as diplomats and officials seeking to specialize in regional expertise.
Professor Bajwa stated that her role involves more than just linguistic instruction. She affirmed that she will conduct comprehensive classes on Punjabi history and culture. Furthermore, she declared that a key part of her mandate is to train Chinese educators to teach the language themselves in the future.
The university maintained that offering a wide array of foreign languages is essential for its mission to train specialists for global engagement. By incorporating Punjabi, the institution asserted its commitment to diversifying its South Asian studies department.
