Ambassadorial Talk : Romania, Romanians and Civilizational Similarities with Malaysia

Ambassadorial Talk : Romania, Romanians and Civilizational Similarities with Malaysia

March 12, 2025 : USM had the honor of hosting H.E. Mrs. Nineta Bărbulescu, Ambassador of Romania to Malaysia and Brunei, for an Ambassadorial Talk that highlighted the historical and cultural parallels between Romania and Malaysia.

The session was officially welcomed by Prof. Dr. Lee Keat Teong, Director of Academic & International Division, who expressed appreciation for Her Excellency’s visit and the opportunity to strengthen academic and cultural ties between the two nations. H.E. Mrs. Nineta Bărbulescu, was accompanied by her husband, Mr. Dan Bărbulescu, who is also conducting research in the same field, further enriching the discussion.

Her Excellency presented extensive insights into her country, its people, and civilizational similarities, particularly in language. She showcased a list of Romanian and Malay words with shared linguistic roots, emphasizing the deep historical connections between the two nations. Additionally, she noted the presence of locations in Malaysia bearing Romania’s name, such as Bukit Romania in Penang. It is interesting to find out how a hill on the island here could be named after her country.

The talk also included a brief history of Romania, featuring the legend of Dracula, as well as discussions on literary collaborations between Malaysia and Romania. As part of her visit, Her Excellency generously donated a collection of books to USM, further strengthening academic ties between the two countries.

The session concluded with an engaging discussion, where several USM academic staff from diverse fields expressed keen interest in conducting joint research projects to further explore these cultural and linguistic connections. This event marked an important step in fostering deeper academic collaboration and mutual understanding between Malaysia and Romania.