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ACHIEVEMENTS Timeline:
CTC Gala Dinner Canadian Tamil Congress held its Annual Gala Dinner on January 13th 2008. The event showcased Tamil arts, culture and achievements within the community such as the establishment of Tamil Studies within the University of Toronto. The Canadian Tamil Congress announced their donation to University of Toronto for Tamil Studies, with which the Tamil language classes may continue through the 2008-09 academic year. New College Principal Rick Halpern announced the kickoff of a campaign to raise money to hold more classes in Tamil Studies and Tamil language, and on a permanent basis. He also announced that the Summer 2008 Tamil language class will be held at University of Toronto - Scarborough Campus. Many of the attendees, who came from across Canada to attend the event, received the news with great enthusiasm. We would like to express our gratitude to the individuals, organizations, and institutions that have been contributing to the success of Tamil Studies. Tamil Studies Courses Begin Summer 2006 This Summer 2006, University of Toronto will be offering an Introductory to Tamil Language course and a course on Tamil Studies in South Asia and the Diaspora. A Tamil Language Course, NEW 213Y1 F - Introduction to Tamil, will be offered as a summer and fall 2006 courses. In addition, University of Toronto’s first Tamil Studies Course, NEW 217H - Tamil Studies in South Asia and the Diaspora, will also be offered in the summer of 2006. Both courses will be offered under New College. The following are their official descriptions: NEW 213Y1 F - Introduction to
Tamil (Time: Monday-Friday 9-12:30) NEW 217H - Tamil Studies in
South Asia and the Diaspora (Time:
Tuesday & Thursday 3-5) Classes begin the week of May 15; the term ends on June 30. The first day of enrolment is April 17. Spaces are limited so enrol early! To learn about course details and registration information, click here. Gala Dinner- A Success
Gala Dinner 2006 - Click here for events pictures On February 25th, 2006, our committee held its 1st Annual Tamil Studies Gala Dinner to raise funds and promote the importance of teaching Tamil at the University level. It was a complete success. More than 400 community members, politicians, University administration members, professors and students gathered to inaugurate Canada’s first Tamil Studies courses into the University of Toronto. The sold-out event has raised sufficient funds for another full year course. The evening featured a dance performance of Sathangai Narthanalayam and speeches from well know community and University members: PROF. DAVID CLANDFIELD, MR. RANJITH MAHENDRANATHAN, MR. PAUL BRETSCHER, PROF. CHELVA KANAGANAYAKAM,
PROF. JOSEPH CHANDRAKANTHAN,
MR. DAVID POOBALAPILLAI, A special thanks to our host, Mr. Neethan Shanmugarajah, who did an outstanding job as the emcee and to Ms. Aruntha Ambalavanar for providing us one of her beautiful artworks for the silent auction.
Lastly but most importantly, we would like to express our sincerest gratitude to our guests, donors & sponsors. Table Sponsors
The marked increase in interest of students to learn their mother language has been recognized by the University of Toronto Tamil Student’s Association. Tamil classes at various different levels were successfully conducted during the school year, as well as during the winter and summer holidays. The classes were structured for University students and taught by undergraduate and graduated university students. The classes were based on University of California, Berkeley's Tamil curriculum, and the lessons of learntamil.com founder Dr. Sendhil Cheran. Dr. Cheran, a recent medical graduate of North Carolina's Duke University, is a world-leader in second-language Tamil teaching. It was made official that The University of Toronto will be offering courses on Tamil studies. 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, University of Toronto becomes the only university in Canada to offer a Tamil studies program. The Tamil Literary Garden and the Centre for South Asian Studies holds an annual event that includes a talk on Tamil Literature. This event also features the presentation of a literary award to a scholar who has made a significant contribution to Tamil literature across their lifetime. At this year’s event, the University of Toronto Tamil Studies Coordinating Committee was given the honour of speaking before a reputable crowd of University of Toronto professors, students and the award recipient. The principal of New College, Professor David Clanfield, praised the initiative to bring Tamil Studies. He also stated that University of Toronto is committed to increasing course diversity. Raffle Draw at Tamil Mozhi Vaarum During the month of May and June, the fundraising team was actively selling raffle tickets at events and shows. Community members across the Greater Toronto Area enthusiastically bought tickets in hopes lending a hand towards successfully reaching our goal. With a majority of the tickets sold, the sale of the raffle tickets was closed with the final draw on Friday, July 1, 2005. The draw was held during the final show of Academy of Tamil Arts and Technology’s “Tamil Mozhi Vaaram”, which is being held at Sir John A MacDonald Collegiate (2300 Pharmacy Rd) at 6pm. The raffle tickets raised about $6276.42 in funds, which will help the fund a Tamil language course for Summer 2006. Tamil Language Course commence in Summer 2006 Following many diligent months of fundraising and promotions, the University of Toronto Tamil Studies Coordinating Committee has gained sufficient funds for Tamil Language course. This course will be available for students during Summer 2006. For students from various universities across Canada, it is remarkable opportunity to learn the language with their peers through the English medium and gain a university credit. . The course was officially registered under New College following the deposit of CAD $12,000 on October 4. Thus, the committee is working toward the next step: Registering a full year course for Fall 2006. New contract for Full year Tamil Language course Given the enthusiasm of our students and community members to follow through with our goals, University of Toronto administration has become more supportive of our initiative. Currently, Merline Xavier, UTTSCC Treasurer, is overseeing a gift agreement with Mr. Krishan Mehta, New College’s Senior Development Officer, to register one full year Tamil Studies course with an annual deposit of CAD $12,000 for 3 year. Originally, the committee has required to raise CAD $50,000 to attain a 3-year contract with the University. “With New College’s support and cooperation, we are definitely reaching new heights for Tamil Studies at the University of Toronto,” remarks Xavier. |
