Breaking: Beijing University adds Punjabi to Foreign Language courses, appoints Indian Scholar
Babushahi Bureau
Beijing (China), September 21, 2026: — In a milestone for international language programs, Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) has officially incorporated Punjabi into its curriculum, making it the 102nd foreign language taught at the premier Chinese institution.
BFSU, widely referred to as the "cradle for diplomats" due to its extensive alumni network of diplomats and foreign affairs professionals, appointed Professor Dr. Zameerpal Kaur Sandhu Bajwa to lead the newly introduced department.
Dr. Zameerpal Kaur previously served as a founding faculty member and Dean of the School of Language, Literature, and Culture at the Central University of Punjab in Bathinda, India.
The curriculum covers fundamental Punjabi language instruction (including the Gurmukhi script), regional history, literature, and folklore.
In addition to teaching courses for Chinese undergraduate students, foreign service personnel, and researchers specializing in South Asian studies, Professor Kaur will help train Chinese faculty members to sustain the academic program in the future.
The addition aligns with BFSU's expansion of South Asian regional studies, which already include Indian languages such as Hindi, Tamil, and Urdu. Academic officials noted that the structured initiative aims to promote long-term cultural exchange, comparative literary research, and regional diplomacy.