Tamil and Tamilar Diaspora Studies at Florida International University

TAMIL AND TAMILAR DIASPORA STUDIES at Florida International University

A proposal prepared for Honorable Professor Dr. R. Chandrasekharan Director, Central Institute of Classical Tamil Government of Tamil Nadu

OUR VISION

The enormous Tamil diaspora in the United States and around the world, including the Tamilars in India, are increasingly aware of the unique nature of their language and culture, and the vital importance of preserving them and sharing them with the world and new generations of young Tamilars. Florida International University (FIU), likewise, recognizes and supports the worldwide efforts to understand and perpetuate the richness of Tamilar traditions and history through study.

To aid in these efforts, FIU proposes the establishment of the Tamil and Tamilar Diaspora Studies (TTDS) program. This self-sustaining program at FIU will produce scholarly research, teach generations of students, and organize public events related to the diversity of Tamil language, history, arts, culture, traditions, and contemporary issues.

The goal is to develop an innovative, interdisciplinary curriculum that teaches students strong area skills over a broad range of topics within Tamil Studies.

Tamil and Tamilar Diaspora Studies at Florida International University

This groundbreaking program will emphasize the arts, culture, and society of contemporary Tamil, Tamilars, and the significant Tamil diaspora worldwide. While individual Tamil chairs have been established at other universities (e.g., Harvard University and the University of Toronto), the TTDS at FIU will be multidisciplinary, examining all aspects of Tamil language, literature, poetry, history, architecture, culture, and other pertinent areas. The program will serve as a beacon for the Tamilar diaspora and a hub for all those interested in preserving and promoting Tamil language and culture. The TTDS program will:

• Generate research and scholarship.

• Promote knowledge of Tamil culture, history, and contemporary issues.

• Develop robust programs (certificates and degrees) and exchanges with institutions in the USA, India, and other countries with similar programs.

• Promote the study of Tamil language, literature, history, arts, and architecture.

• Present regular events featuring Tamil culture, music, and art. These events will be of interest to Tamil scholars and to the community at large.

• Host conferences and symposia.

• Produce new scholars specializing in Tamil studies, Tamilar diaspora studies, Vallalar studies and Valluvar studies, among other areas • Introduce Tamilar issues to a fast-growing global city with links to Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

Florida International University

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Tamilars and their Culture

Tamil, a language spoken by about 85 million people in India and other places, including Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Canada, and Europe, is one of the world’s oldest surviving classical languages, dating back more than 2,000 years. Its history, literature, and culture are inexhaustibly rich. The Tamil language has played a significant part in developing world religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Islam, and Christianity.

It is not an exaggeration to say that today’s Hinduism would be utterly different had it not been for the great poet-saints of Tamil, who developed the traditions of Hindu devotion. In addition to the richness of its ancient heritage, Tamil has an immense and growing body of modern literature and a vast entertainment industry spanning film, television, dance, music, and more. Tamil is a language of great importance for the world, both in its classical manifestations and in its dynamic life of today.

We at FIU want to build a home for the rich history and culture of Tamil Nadu at our Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs.

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Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs

Florida International University

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Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs

OUR PROPOSAL

We hereby ask Tamil Nadu to consider a leadership grant of $6 million to make possible the establishment of the Tamil and Tamilar Diaspora Studies (TTDS) program at Florida International University. A portion of this grant ($3.5 million) will be used to establish the permanent endowment of the TTDS program; the endowment will be managed by the FIU Foundation, the non-profit entity responsible for the strict stewardship of university funds in accordance with donors’ wishes. Another $1 million will be used to design, build, and equip office space in the Green School of International & Public Affairs Phase II building currently under construction. The remainder of the grant, $1.5 million, will be used to enable the university to immediately launch the Tamil and Tamilar Diaspora Studies program and guarantee its growth while the endowment matures and begins to produce annual revenue.

This important commitment will ensure the TTDS program’s success and inspire philanthropists around the world to join in contributing to the growing endowment. Importantly, this strategic initiative also enjoys the full support and backing of FIU and its leadership.

While we are aware of the extraordinary nature of our request, we also recognize the significant challenges facing the Tamilars today and the tremendous potential of the proposed program to contribute critical and long-range leadership for a better world.

Florida International University

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Tamil and Tamilar Diaspora Studies Program Five-Year Plan

The TTDS program will be directed by a scholar with a reputation for outstanding research and management and who takes a holistic appreciation to the program’s goals. The program will grow over time to include scholars in the areas of 1) Tamil language and literature, 2) Tamilar diaspora, 3) Vallalar studies, and 4) Valluvar studies.

According to the TTDS five-year plan, the program will be launched by a Tamil studies expert and a teaching professor, with backing from a master’s-level fellow and an administrator. By the end of Year 2, and according to the level of funding secured, the program will grow to involve an estimated total of six including staff, faculty, graduate assistants, and post-doctoral researchers.

This ambitious program would be made possible through a $6 million gift from the government of Tamil Nadu, the governing authority for the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The gift would be allocated as follows:

• $3,500,000 to establish an endowment producing an estimated $140,000 annually.

• $1,500,000 in immediate-use cash to provide $300,000 per year for a five-year period.

• $1,000,000 to design and build out program facilities.

The gift would guarantee sufficient funding for the five-year period, as well as a sixth year, based on projected savings. Permanent sustainability after Year 6 would require additional fundraising of about $250,000 per year. However, if indeed we are granted $6 million to establish Tamil Studies at Florida International University, additional fundraising will not be an obstacle.

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Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs

Program Structure

We plan to hire the director of the program, a teaching professor, and an administrator. In addition, a master’s student will be granted a fellowship in Tamil studies. The director will oversee the program, the development of a certificate in Tamil and Tamilar studies, and the planning and direction of public programming. The administrator will coordinate daily activities and plan and direct program events, lecture series, and presentations. In Year 2, a PhD teaching assistant will join the team to teach, and to assist the director in curriculum development. In addition, a postdoctoral researcher will be added to focus on Tamilar diaspora, Vallalar, and/or Valluvar studies.

The director will collaborate with other national and international institutions to recruit new faculty and will work with the Green School fundraising team to continue to develop new donors and sources of funding. To support growing demand, the program will offer scholarships to undergraduate as well as graduate students and ensure that a minimum of one Ph.D. student will be funded throughout their tenure in the program.

Notably, TTDS will serve the enormous Tamil diaspora in the United States and around the world, including the Tamilars in India. There is a growing need for a project such as this: Tamilars are increasingly aware of the unique nature of their language and culture, and the vital importance of preserving them and sharing them with the world and new generations of young Tamilars. As a result, Tamilars and others worldwide are supporting efforts to understand and perpetuate the richness of their traditions and history.

Florida International University

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FIU Recognition & Commitment

In recognition of your gift, the university agrees to name the fund within the Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs as the Tamil Nadu Tamil and Tamilar Diaspora Studies Endowment, or another name chosen by the donor.

Florida International University may provide counterpart funding to the TTDS program, as follows:

• Social benefits for program hires (calculated at 36 percent of salaries).

• Tuition waivers for selected graduate students.

• Access to university facilities for classes, seminars, conferences, and events.

Currently, there is a growing interest in North America for Tamil Studies as evidenced by the recent formation of Tamil chairs at Harvard and the University of Toronto. While individual Tamil chairs have been established at other universities, the TTDS at FIU will be a multidisciplinary program that does not depend on a single individual for its success. However, to develop the TTDS program as envisioned, the support of all Tamilars will be needed. The director will be responsible for initiating cooperation among other Tamil studies institutions across the globe including Tamil Nadu.

The vision of the FIU TTDS program will be to serve as a beacon for the Tamilar diaspora and a hub for all those interested in preserving the Tamil language and culture.

We very much look forward to your thoughts on our proposal and stand ready to supply any additional information needed to inform your decision.

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Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs

The Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs Launched in 2008, the Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs at FIU educates tomorrow’s leaders and changemakers through innovative teaching and research that advances global understanding, contributes to policy solutions, and promotes international dialogue. One of the leading schools of its kind globally, the Green School enrolls more than 5,000 students and employs 360 faculty. It offers 38 interdisciplinary degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels and 35 undergraduate and graduate certificate programs.

The Green School encompasses eight signature departments: Criminology and Criminal Justice, Economics, Global and Sociocultural Studies, History, Modern Languages, Politics and International Relations, Public Policy and Administration, and Religious Studies.

Home to 16 of the university’s most prominent international centers, institutes, and programs, including the Václav Havel Program for Human Rights & Diplomacy, the Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy, the Mohsin & Fauzia Jaffer Center for Muslim World Studies, and the Kimberly Green Latin American and Caribbean Center.

The Green School is a full member of the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA), the first in the state of Florida to be included and one of only 40 APSIA member schools worldwide.

Florida International University

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FIU is Miami’s public research university, focused on student success. According to U.S. News & World Report, FIU has 37 top-50 rankings among public universities in the nation. FIU is the third largest university based on undergraduate enrollment in the U.S. with nearly 59,000 students and is designated as Carnegie R1 for Very High Research Activity with more than $237 million in annual research expenditures. FIU ranks 42nd among all universities worldwide for patent production, which drives innovation, and is one of the institutions that help make Florida the top state for accessible higher education.

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