KARACHI, March 6: The Italian Language and Cultural Centre at the University of Karachi launched different certificate and diploma courses in Italian language for the 2003 batches.

The Consul General of Italy, Dr Fabrizio Nicoletti, was the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony. Nine of the students having passed the courses during the last two years were also presented with certificates and diplomas on the occasion.

According to the course coordinator and teacher, Dr Laura Fioretta, the Italian government is not only bearing the expenses of the course teacher coming from Italy, but also has been providing books and other teaching materials, and the building has been repaired and renovated for the centre by a local industrialist having trade relations with Italy.

She informed that the centre was launched in 1999, with only 12 students, but now the total number of the students enrolled with the centres for different courses, including the two year diploma course, was 59.

She praised the performance and capability of the local students and maintained that some of them were really good.

Dean Faculty of Arts, Dr Abuzar Wajdi, said that the Italian language Centre was functioning independently and had proved helpful to students desiring to improve their knowledge and skill in the Italian language.

He noted that language played a vital role in preparing people to face global challenges.

It was learnt that on a proposal by Dr Fioretta, the vice-chancellor of the university had approved a 14-week advance conversation course which would be introduced shortly under the cultural centre.

The Italian consul general at Karachi, Dr Nicoletti, said that his country was a peaceful country, having one of the oldest culture in the world.

“Italy has opened its cultural bounds to the world and at the same time is extending support to those who want to learn the Italian language, as we believe that language plays a vital role in learning from the culture and civilizations of other nations,” he said.

Vice-Chancellor of Karachi University, Dr Zafar Saied Saify, speaking on the occasion, said the university had a plan to introduce a degree programme in the Italian language, and the varsity syndicate had already approved establishment of an institute of languages.

He said a plan was also under consideration to establish an archeological museum at the university in collaboration with the Rome University.