Islamabad, June 15, IRNA -- Culture Center of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Pakistan’s Lahore has announced its readiness to develop joint cooperation to improve the level of spoken Persian language for teachers and students in Punjab province.

Director of Iran’s Culture Center in Lahore Jafar Ronas during a visit to the Government Fatima Jinnah College discussed ways to strengthen Persian language education with officials of the college.

In a meeting with Dr Bushra Samina Principal of the college the Iranian diplomat got acquainted with the capacities of the prestigious institution as well as the Persian language and literature department and the Iranian Studies Room.

Nighat Ramzan, Vice Principal of Government Fatima Jinnah College, Samia Ijaz, Head of Persian Language department, Sidrah Saeed, the head of the Iranology Chamber, and Salma Saad, Persian language professor were also present on the occasion.

Head of Persian Language department expressing her views said overall 350 students are enrolled at the Persian undergraduate and graduate programs in the college.  

She said most of the students are taught classical literature and the rules and grammar of the Persian language but their speaking skills of the language are not upto the mark due to the lack of facilities.

She said Iranian Studies Room need books and research papers especially in the field of contemporary literature.

Jafar Ronas expressing the importance of students speaking Persian, said: We are ready to conduct Persian language classes for Persian language teachers and students in this college.

He also announced his readiness to provide some facilities including preparing new book files for the Iranology Room.

Principal of Government Fatima Jinnah College said Persian language and literature used to be taught in secondary schools, but unfortunately today no such classes are available.

She considered the role of Culture Center of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Lahore to strengthen the Persian language in public and private universities and colleges vital and said we are ready for any kind of cooperation with the Iranian Culture Center.

Jafar Ronas then visited the Iranology Room and various parts of the historical and old building of of Government Fatima Jinnah College, which is more than 150 years old.

It was established in 1886 to promote the education of girls in Pakistan, especially the residents of old Lahore city, the Cultural and Educational Center of Pakistan.

The school was upgraded to an independent higher education institution in 1992 with the ability to issue undergraduate and graduate degrees to students.

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