Lahore: Punjab University Director External Linkages Maria Maldonado arranged a presentation on “Spain, Language and Culture” at the Department of English here on Tuesday. Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran, Spanish Counsellor Sahir Salam, Prof Shaista Sonnu Siraj-ud-Din, Prof Dr Mazhar Moeen, senior faculty members and a large number of students were also present on the occasion. The ceremony began with Spanish national anthem.
Addressing the ceremony, Vice-Chancellor Dr Mujahid Kamran highly appreciated the efforts of Maria Maldonado and Prof Dr Mazhar Moeen for development of languages. He said learning was a continuous process and one feels happy when one learns. Dr Kamran said he was impressed by the students’ presentation and it provided an opportunity to know more about Spain . He said the Muslim period in Spain was splendid and the country was a Centre of Learning. He said the education period during Muslim rule in Spain was the most brilliant one. He advised the students to work hard and have strong grip on their subjects.
The speakers in their presentations said that Spanish was the second largest language being spoken in the world and have sound importance in business community. He said 550 million people of 21 countries speak and understand Spanish language. He said colonialism and voyages, especially Christopher Columbus’s voyage, had played key role in promoting Spanish language. The speakers also highlighted society, literary activities, science, culture, education, tourism, geography, construction, sports and renowned personalities in other fields.
Maria Maldonado said as many as five thousand words have been taken from Arabic in the Spanish language. She said it was easy to learn Spanish if one’s English was good because both the languages have resemblance in pronunciation.
Sahir Salam congratulated VC Dr Mujahid Kamran and his talented team on rapid academic and research development in the varsity. He offered the students to visit Spain and said Spain and Pakistan enjoy same weather. He said people of both the countries also carry resemblance in culture in many ways.
Prof Dr Mazhar Moeen said Spanish language was nearer to Arabic language and it also was among the first languages of United Nations. He said the credit goes to Vice-Chancellor Dr Mujahid Kamran that he fully realizes the importance of language.
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