WROCLOW, POLAND, June 2, 2011: In a sign of growing interest in the study of Indian culture in European universities, the Jagiellonian University at Krakow in Poland will soon establish a Tamil Chair.
The announcement was made by First Secretary in the Indian Embassy in Warsaw, Vikrant Rattan, at the third Middle European Student Indology Conference (MESIC 3) held here on May 19 to 21.
Mr. Rattan said the decision follows a memorandum of understanding with the Institute of Oriental Studies in the university. The Chair will facilitate programs in ancient Tamil literature, culture and civilization. It will be held by an associate professor.
More European students are taking up studies in oriental languages and other languages of South India. The Indian Council of Cultural Relations has awarded 11 scholarships to students from various Polish universities, he noted. The MESIC-3 is unique in that it was organized by Indology students. It has provided a platform to students and scholars of Indian culture to discuss a broad range of topics such as Indian literature and linguistics and political, religious and social issues.