Tamil Studies UK
We are running a fundraising campaign to reinstate the study of Tamil within the Languages Department at SOAS University of London, for our young and aspiring Tamil learners to pursue Tamil at university level.
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SOAS University of London
SOAS University of London is a leading higher education institution in Europe specialising in the study of Asia, Africa, and the Near and Middle East.
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B.H.Abdul Hameed
"Preserving the Tamil language is important for several reasons, rooted in its cultural, historical, educational, and social significance. Tamil is one of the oldest and richest languages in the world, with a history dating back thousands of years."
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Tamil Studies UK
Tamil Studies UK (TSUK) is a community-led organisation dedicated to restoring and promoting Tamil language, culture, and academic research at SOAS University of London through advocacy, fundraising, and partnerships.
- The idea of reinstating Tamil Studies in the UK began when Mr. Ramaswamy Balaji of Indian High Commission (First Secretary, Political & Immigration) attended the SOAS, University of London's Thiruvalluvar Day celebration organised by SOAS as part of SOAS centenary celebration on 13th May 2018.
- SOAS made a request to High Commission to support Tamil Studies, and hence a team of volunteers have been put forward to form a non-profit organisation at the label TamilStudiesUK (originally TamilChairUK) to plan and coordinate the works.
உயிருக்கும் மேலான செந்தமிழை, புலம்பெயர்ந்த மற்றும் வெளிநாட்டில் குடியேறிய தமிழ் மக்களாக வளர்ந்து வரும் அடுத்த தலைமுறைக்குக் கொண்டு செல்லும் பணியை ஐக்கிய இராச்சியத் தமிழ்த்துறை (TamilStudiesUK) அமைப்பு, ‘இலண்டன் பல்கலைக்கழகம் – SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies) இன் தெற்காசிய கல்வி கூடத்துடன்’ இணைந்து முன்னெடுத்துச் செல்கிறது. இந்த பல்கலைகழகம் பயிற்றுவிக்கத் துவங்கிய 20 உலக மொழிகளில் ‘தமிழும்’ ஓன்று! தமிழில் இளங்கலை பட்டம் பெற்ற ‘முதல் ஆங்கிலேயர்’ ஆன M.S.H தாம்சன் (இவர் நம் மறைமலை அடிகளின் மாணவர்), இந்திய அரசால் ‘பத்மஸ்ரீ’ பட்டம் அளித்து கௌரவிக்கப்பட்ட முனைவர் சான் மார் (Dr.John Marr), சுடூவர்ட் பிளாக்பர்ன் (Stuart Blackburn) போன்றவர்களால், தமிழ் வகுப்புகள் சிறப்பாக பயிற்றுவிக்கப்பட்டன.
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Tamil Studies UK
Key Objectives
Research
Exploring the establishment of a Visiting Fellowship in Tamil Language and Culture to be hosted within the SOAS South Asia Institute.
Teaching
Exploring bursaries for students across the University of London Federation to study Tamil at the SOAS Language Centre. Future possibilities include summer schools, online programmes, and the eventual inclusion of credit-bearing Tamil courses.
Outreach
Considering visits by SOAS academic and recruitment teams to Tamil schools within community networks to promote SOAS as a centre for Tamil language study.
Events
Planning future cultural initiatives, including participation in community events – Carnival, in Russell Square, potential cultural programmes at SOAS, and annual celebrations of Thai Pongal and honouring saint the Thiruvalluvar.
Infrastructure
Exploring options for enhancing the Thiruvalluvar statue through improved lighting and maintenance.
Global Collaboration
Engaging with the Government of Tamil Nadu and partner universities in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka to strengthen academic and cultural partnerships.
