On 25th April, the first Confucius Institute with Traditional Chinese Medicine characteristics was inaugurated in Romania. The institute is jointly built by Huazhong University of Science & Technology (HUST) and Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iasi (U.M.F. Iasi). MA Jianhui, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of HUST, HAN Chunlin, Chinese Ambassador to Romania and Prof. Viorel Scripcariu, President of U.M.F. Iasi, as well as the directors of the Confucius Institute attended the inauguration ceremony.

At the inauguration ceremony, MA Jianhui said that the establishment of the first Confucius Institute with TCM characteristics in Romania can not only greatly enhance the Romanian people's knowledge and understanding of the excellent traditional Chinese culture, but also cultivate more personnel of multiple skills through the combination of medicine and education. The two universities will take this opportunity to further deepen cooperation, strengthen culture exchanges and promote scientific research collaborations.

Viorel Scripcariu, President of U.M.F. Iasi, said that as the first Confucius Institute with TCM characteristics, the establishment of the Institute has far-reaching significance for U.M.F. Iasi. He hoped that this platform can become the center of language and cultural exchange between Romania and China in Iasi region, open a new chapter of Chinese medicine education, and serve as a bridge for cooperation between the two universities to further promote cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Chinese Ambassador to Romania HAN Chunlin said that the establishment of Confucius Institute at U.M.F. Iasi is an important achievement of Sino-Romanian culture exchanges and cooperation, as well as a platform for Chinese and Romanian people to learn from each other. He hoped that the institute would integrate and innovate in medical education and Chinese language teaching, and cultivate more talents of multiple skills composite with both medical expertise and Chinese language ability.

ZHAO Lingshan, vice president and secretary-general of the China International Chinese Language Education Foundation, delivered a video message. He is looking forward to the Confucius Institute at U.M.F. Iasi to make use of the resources of both sides to provide high-quality Chinese language education for the local people, starting from Chinese language teaching and featuring TCM, and to promote exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.

During this event, MA Jianhui also participated in the first Confucius Institute Board meeting, the strategic meetings between the two universities and signed an MoU between the two universities. The HUST-delegation had visited the Office of Confucius Institute, the Clinical Translational Research Centre and the Clinical Simulation Centre of U.M.F. Iasi. The delegation had exchanged views with local teachers and students.

It is understood that U.M.F. Iasi originated from Iasi Medical School founded in 1879. It is the first ranked medical University in Romania, and the evaluation report of European University Association (EUA) said that the university is one of the leaders in the field of medicine in Europe. In October 2022, the HUST signed a tripartite agreement with U.M.F. Iasi in Romania and China International Foundation for Chinese Language Education (CIFCE) on the establishment of the Confucius Institute at U.M.F. Iasi. In January 2023, the Confucius Institute at U.M.F. Iasi received the Letter of authorization issued by the China International Chinese Language Education Foundation. The Confucius Institute at U.M.F. Iasi is the first Confucius Institute in Romania with TCM characteristics, and the first Confucius Institute in the north-eastern region of Romania.

Representatives of Romanian overseas Chinese, Chinese-funded enterprises, teachers and students of Confucius Institute of U.M.F. Iasi, representatives from the school of International Education (Confucius Institute Work Office), Tongji Medical College, Office of International Affairs, Affiliated Union Hospital and Affiliated Tongji Hospital of HUST participated in this event.