TANJUNG MALIM, September 6 - The Raja Permaisuri of Perak, Tuanku Zara Salim who is also the Chancellor of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) graciously attended the Opening Ceremony of the Visual Art Exhibition in conjunction with the 55th Anniversary of Diplomatic Cross-cultural Relations between Malaysia and Romania.

Her Majesty was pleased to inaugurate the exhibition organised by the Institute of Malay Civilization (IPM) at the Sultan Abdul Jalil Shah Campus here yesterday..

The ceremony held at the Main Auditorium and Art Gallery , Sultan Abdul Jalil Shah Campus , was also attended by Ambassadors of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Maldives and Mexico, two former Malaysian Ambassadors to Romania, diplomats from Bangladesh, Hungary, Sudan, Zambia and other embassies accredited in Malaysia.

The Romanian Ambassador to Malaysia, Nineta Barbulescu, described the ties between Romania and Malaysia since 1969 as evidence of friendship, cooperation and mutual respect for the cultural heritage of both countries which continue to grow.

“Cultural exchanges, academic partnerships and economic initiatives over the past 50 years have enriched the lives of our people, reflecting the interconnected values and cultures.

“I am thrilled to see the artworks from Malaysia and Romania, especially from the National Painter, Ismail Embong,” she said.

UPSI Vice-Chancellor, Prof Datuk Dr. Md Amin Md Taff, meanwhile said the cultural similarities between Romania and Malaysia strengthen meaningful relationship despite being in different corners of the world.

He added that the student exchange programmes, joint research and academic publications between universities in Malaysia and Romania have nurtured future leaders as well as strengthened bilateral cooperation.

At the same event, Tuanku Zara Salim also visited the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination exhibition and inspected more than 50 paintings in the Art Gallery.

According to Prof Datuk Dr. Md Amin Md Taff, the collaborative programme between UPSI and the National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM) is a transformative initiative to support the National Immunisation Programme in addressing the country’s health challenges.

“This programme is not only a health initiative, but also a proactive step in preventing cervical cancer, which remains a concern in Malaysia,” he explained.

Also present at the opening ceremony were the wife of the Perak Menteri Besar, Datin Seri Aezer Zubin; the wife of the Orang Kaya Bendahara Sri Maharaja, Toh Puan Datin Seri Diraja Puan Sri Hajah Rasiah Md Nor; and the Chairman of the UPSI Board of Directors, Datuk Seri Rohani Parkash Abdullah.

Tuanku Zara inspected paintings by Malaysian and Romanian artists