<p>Indicative of the growing interaction between India and a nation that straddles the Asian and European continents, Turkish language courses are the hot flavour at Jamia Millia Islamia, with 400 applications being received for a Bachelor’s degree introduced this year. </p>.<p>“The response is overwhelming. We didn’t expect it. It’s on account of a new phase of strengthening of bilateral trade relations between India and Turkey in the last few years, which has added to the demand for language experts on both sides,” said university vice-chancellor Najeeb Jung. Jamia’s Faculty of Humanities and Languages has been teaching Persian and Arabic as foreign languages. <br /><br />“The Indian presence in Turkey is increasing because the government there is open to Indian investments. At the same time, because Turkey did not secure entry into the EU, it shifted its attention to this economic region,” said dean Gyan Prakash Sharma. “Engagement between the two countries is in heavy industry.” Besides the Bachelor’s course, Jamia is also offering a certificate, diploma and advanced diploma in Turkish.<br /><br /> Faculty and research scholars from Jawaharlal Nehru University are also attending these courses, for which the university has enrolled 160 students this year.The faculty for the programme will be provided by the Turkish government under a memorandum of understanding signed with Jamia. “They have asked us for space, while the faculty will be provided by their government,” Sharma said.</p>.<p><br /> The new courses are part of the university’s thrust to enhance understanding about geographical regions across the globe. Its study programmes on Pakistan, Central Asia, China, Bangladesh and Afghanistan “are aimed at preparing a cadre of researchers who have a firm grip over geopolitical issues”, a university spokesperson said.</p>
<p>Indicative of the growing interaction between India and a nation that straddles the Asian and European continents, Turkish language courses are the hot flavour at Jamia Millia Islamia, with 400 applications being received for a Bachelor’s degree introduced this year. </p>.<p>“The response is overwhelming. We didn’t expect it. It’s on account of a new phase of strengthening of bilateral trade relations between India and Turkey in the last few years, which has added to the demand for language experts on both sides,” said university vice-chancellor Najeeb Jung. Jamia’s Faculty of Humanities and Languages has been teaching Persian and Arabic as foreign languages. <br /><br />“The Indian presence in Turkey is increasing because the government there is open to Indian investments. At the same time, because Turkey did not secure entry into the EU, it shifted its attention to this economic region,” said dean Gyan Prakash Sharma. “Engagement between the two countries is in heavy industry.” Besides the Bachelor’s course, Jamia is also offering a certificate, diploma and advanced diploma in Turkish.<br /><br /> Faculty and research scholars from Jawaharlal Nehru University are also attending these courses, for which the university has enrolled 160 students this year.The faculty for the programme will be provided by the Turkish government under a memorandum of understanding signed with Jamia. “They have asked us for space, while the faculty will be provided by their government,” Sharma said.</p>.<p><br /> The new courses are part of the university’s thrust to enhance understanding about geographical regions across the globe. Its study programmes on Pakistan, Central Asia, China, Bangladesh and Afghanistan “are aimed at preparing a cadre of researchers who have a firm grip over geopolitical issues”, a university spokesperson said.</p>