Hampi university to ink pact with US firm to teach Kannada

A three-month course would be offered through online classes with participation of teachers from both sides. Kannada University Vice-chancellor D.V. Paramashivamurthy told The Hindu that the syndicate had approved the course and syllabus.

As the State is celebrating the golden jubilee of being renamed as ‘Karnataka’ from the earlier ‘Mysore State’, Kannada University, Hampi, is all set to strike an agreement with a US-based firm to teach and popularise Kannada language that country.

Kannada University will soon sign a memorandum of understanding with Padaantaranga Corporation, California, US, for imparting a diploma in Kannada language for US students and its citizens. A three-month course would be offered through online classes with participation of teachers from both sides.

Kannada University Vice-chancellor D.V. Paramashivamurthy told The Hindu that the syndicate had approved the course and syllabus a few days ago. “We will soon sign the agreement with Padaantaranga Corporation, headed by its founder Guru Krishnamurthy, a Kannadiga, who had settled in the US many years ago.”

The university would offer the certificate, printed in both Kannada and English. The university would charge a minimal fee of about ₹1,000 per student.

Prof. Paramashivamurthy said that there is a spike in the demand for learning Kannada abroad, particularly in the US these days, as many Karnataka-origin entrepreneurs, technocrats, academicians and organisations have achieved success and made a name in their respective fields. Children born to Karnataka-based parents, brought up in the US, have shown interest in learning their mother tongue, the vice-chancellor said.

Close to 200 students and citizens who have roots in Karnataka and US nationals have evinced interest to learn Kannada through online classes. Collaboration with the US firm provides an opportunity for the university to extend its reach beyond Karnataka and India, he said.

Mr Krishamurthy, a software professional, has been promoting Kannada language in the US for many years. He has been associated with Kannada organisations based in the US and other nations.