The University of Zagreb has elevated the minor in sinology to a major to become the first institution of higher education in Croatia to confer degrees in sinology.

Qi Qianjin, Chinese ambassador to Croatia, and Tomislav Bolanca, vice rector of the university, attended a launching ceremony Wednesday at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of the university.

Addressing the ceremony, Qi said the elevation of sinology study in Croatia is of "historical importance."

"This development enriches the opportunities and choices for both teachers and students in the field of sinology. It also reflects the increasing demand for talents in sinology in the Croatian society and market as China-Croatia exchanges and cooperation are growing," he said.

"We look forward to a fruitful enrolment for the program this year, with more young students eagerly signing up to study, contributing to the research of sinology and the dissemination of the Chinese culture, and the development of China-Croatia relationship," he added.

Domagoj Toncinic, dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, called the degree program of sinology major "one step further."

"Since the academic year 2004/2005 there has been a sinology study as a free study, and now we have it as a regular study, the only such program in Croatia," he said.

Over the past two decades since the faculty began to introduce a minor in sinology in 2004, Chinese courses in linguistics, Chinese history, art, literature and philosophy have been offered, attracting 30-40 students each year on average.