“Persian language among most popular subjects for Serbian students”

Ema Miljkovic, the head of the Department of Oriental Studies, University of Belgrade, has noted that the Persian language is one of the most popular subjects among Serbian university students.

The statement was made by Miljkovic during the ceremony held on the 95th anniversary of establishing the Department of Oriental Studies.

In 1926, the Department of Oriental Studies at the University of Belgrade was launched by Fahim Bayraktrovich, an Orientalist from Austria, who taught Persian literature.

“It was the oldest department of oriental studies in the Balkans. Later, Turkish and Arabic courses were added and the three pillars of Orientalism were taught there,” said Miljkovic during the ceremony.

Further in her speech, Miljkovic mentioned that despite the lack of equipment and Persian language instructors for several years, the Persian language courses have become the most popular ones among the Serbian students during the last 10 years.

According to her, the department is making attempts to have the Persian language as an independent major which could be followed for the B.A., M.A. and Ph.D.

Iran’s Ambassador to Serbia Rashid Hassanpour also showed his total interest, saying that “The Iranian Embassy will fully support the development of Persian language programs at the University of Belgrade in order to strengthen public diplomacy of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

MM/FM