TEHRAN – An Iranian studies center opened at the Philology Faculty of Salamanca University in Spain on Wednesday.

The dean of faculty, Vicente Gonzalez Martin, and Iranian cultural attaché Alireza Esmaeili attended the opening ceremony of the center, the Persian service of Iran reported on Thursday.

“The establishment of the center is a major turning point in the study of the Persian language and Iranology,” Gonzalez Martin said in a brief speech made during the ceremony.

He said that a memorandum of understanding signed between the University of Tehran and Salamanca University has aroused an interest in Persian language educations in the university over the past few years.

Esmaeili also expressed his happiness over the establishment of the center at the University of Salamanca, which is one of few oldest academic centers in Europe.

He said the center will highly help enhance the cultural exchanges between Iran and Spain.

Founded in 1134, the University of Salamanca is a Spanish higher education institution, located in the city of Salamanca, west of Madrid, in the autonomous community of Castile and León. It was given the Royal charter of foundation by King Alfonso IX in 1218.    

Photo: A view of Salamanca University, Spain.

MMS