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The University of Toronto (UoT) Center for South Asian Studies will soon be offering courses on Tamil studies, Professor David Cranfield announced at a gathering at Trinity College on Sunday June 12.

A Tamil studies course will be offered by the faculty in the summer of 2006 followed by Tamil language courses in the fall term (September) of 2006.

With the announcement, UoT becomes the only university in Canada to offer Tamil studies program making this achievement by the Tamil Students� Association a milestone in the history of Canadian Tamils.

Speaking at the event, UoT Tamil Students� Association (TSA) executive Ashwin Balamohan described Tamil studies at the University as �a perfect opportunity to enrich Canada.�

The campaign to have Tamil studies at the UofT was initiated about two and a half years ago by the UoT Tamil Students� Association.

TSA executives worked tirelessly in organizing events, fundraisers and Tamil classes to show that such a program at UoT will have wide support from the community before the faculty considered offering the program.

Over the past two summer and winter breaks, the TSA itself organized some very successful Tamil language classes.

�It is great to see that our hard work is beginning to bear fruit. We look forward towards continued financial support from the community as well as the support of the University administration to make [sure] this reaches its full potential,� Balamohan said reacting to the news.

The budget for these courses offered by the faculty is estimated at $15,000 for the summer course and $50,000 for the a full year course for three years.

The TSA has raised $15,000 and is welcoming donations from well wishers to make the Tamil language course a reality in September of 2006.

For further information, contact Ashwin at 647-831-1746 or ashwin.balamohan@utoronto.ca