INTI International University hosted its first inaugural lecture by Her Excellency Nineta Bărbulescu, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Romania to Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam, on 24th June 2022 entitled Romania’s Foreign Policy Challenges in 2022.
Organized by the Faculty of Business and Communications (FOBC) of INTI International University, the event saw over 300 participants in the lecture hall while another 200 viewers watched via live streaming.
Participants of the inaugural talk showed immense support for Her Excellency Nineta Bărbulescu, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Romania to Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam, at the INTI International University campus in Nilai.
Present at the lecture were Dr. Joseph Lee, Vice Chancellor of INTI International University, Dr. Lai Yin Ling, Pro-Vice Chancellor of INTI International University, and Siti Nurbaayah Daud, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Business and Communication.
Dr. Joseph, in his opening remarks, said regardless of a person’s role, the ever-increasing pace of change requires us to not only learn new technologies but to explore a wider scope of knowledge and at a faster rate than our competitors and those around us.
The disruption caused by the pandemic has left our world and societies in constant flux, demanding us to think and look for the best way to understand and respond quickly to any shifts affecting our environment and how to progress in challenging times.
“In today’s dynamic and ever-changing environment, we cannot be contented by what we know now and what we do now; we need to learn from others and through multiple lenses,” he said.
According to Dr Joseph, when guest speakers share their success stories and experiences, it is through their lenses that we see the world, learn about current affairs, and see things from a different perspective.
“The more lenses we possess, the better we see and understand differences among similarities. One or two viewpoints are not enough. Multiple lenses correlate to a stronger sense of open-mindedness, critical thinking, and intellectual flexibility.
Pictured in the photo is (from left to right) Dr. Lai Yin Ling, Pro Vice-Chancellor of INTI International University, Victor-Andrei Bărbulescu, the son of Her Excellency Nineta Bărbulescu, Dihlvinder Kaur Mohkam Singh, senior lecturer of INTI International University, Her Excellency Mrs. Nineta Bărbulescu, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Romania to Malaysia, Dr. Joseph Lee, Vice Chancellor of INTI International University, Yee Fen Tan, Registrar of INTI International University, and Roberto Gerardo Calleja Fernandez, senior lecturer of INTI International University.
“I sincerely hope all of us here today will value this unique opportunity to learn and to see the world through a different lens,” he added.
Meanwhile, Her Excellency Nineta Bărbulescu who was accompanied by her son, Victor-Andrei Bărbulescu also imparted advice to the audience on life-learning opportunities to look at other viewpoints regardless of our skin, race, ethnicity, belief, language, and background.
“We have to believe in finding opportunities to grow at any age and accepting people from multiple perspectives despite our cultural background,” shared Her Excellency Nineta Bărbulescu.
In January 2021, Her Excellency Nineta Bărbulescu was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Romania to Malaysia, and non-resident Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam in March 2021.Prior to the current Ambassadorial position, Her Excellency Nineta Bărbulescu held high-level leadership positions within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania, at the Euro-Atlantic Centre, and at the Public International Law Department.
The accomplished diplomat highlighted the current foreign policy challenges facing her beloved country and explored the effectiveness of diplomacy in managing relationships with various countries to be consistent within the European Union.
(From left to right) Lee Li Ting, a student pursuing the Bachelor of Biotechnology programme and president of INTI International University Student Government (INTIMA), Her Excellency Nineta Bărbulescu, Ambassador of Romania to Malaysia, and Amirah Maisarah, International Affairs Officer of INTIMA, pose for a group photo.
Concluding the event was a Q&A session which saw active participation from students and the presentation of memorabilia from INTI International University to Her Excellency.