Questionnaire

 

QUESTIONNAIRE

I. Introduction

Tamils living in different parts of the world, in order to preserve their cultural identity and
observe their traditions and values, need to maintain familiarity with Tamil and be knowledgeable about their heritage. Recognising this fact and for meeting the felt and emerging needs of the Tamil communities and others interested, the Government of Tamil Nadu have decided to set up the Tamil Virtual University. The vision and mission of the University are as follows.

Vision

The Tamil Virtual University aims to providing Internet based resources and opportunities for the Tamil Communities living in different parts of the globe as well as others interested in learning Tamil and acquiring knowledge of the history, art, literature and culture of the Tamils.

Mission

To develop and deliver Internet based learning material in Tamil language, literature and culture to global Tamil Communities and others interested.

To develop and deliver customised programmes to meet the cultural needs of the Tamil Communities in different parts of the world and help them retain their contact with their heritage.

To initiate and continue necessary measures to co-ordinate and pool together knowledge resources, developed in Tamil in different parts of the world, for wider dissemination.

To offer academic programmes in Tamil language, literature and culture for audit or credit and to award appropriate Certificate/Diploma/Degree through Tamil University, Thanjavur on completion of prescribed requirements.

In the light of the above, we are interested in knowing your requirements and expectations 
in order to help the university design its academic programmes. You are requested to 
answer the following questions and also offer further comments as you may find appropriate.
The questionnaire is addressed to both individuals and institutions.


Please fill in your name and E-mail

        
 Name

        

        
E-mail

        

II. Beginners' Programme

Need

1. Do you consider it necessary for the Virtual University to design and introduce a beginner's course for learning Tamil?

yesNo

Target Group

2 (i) If yes, Please specify:

Could it be for children alone?
Could it cover adults also?

(ii) If adults also are to be catered to:

will the same programme serve the needs of both children and adults?
Is it necessary to prepare different learning material?

Level of the course

3 (i) What is the standard that we should aim at?

Level 1: Script reading and writing,simple words reading and writing,Simple conversation
Level 2: Reading, writing and developing communicative skills.

(ii) Should there be any certification at the end of each level?
YesNo

Sharing of Recources

4. (i) Do you have any material available with you which can be used for offering the Beginners' programme?

YesNo

(ii) For what level of standard(Refer 3(I)above)your material can be used?

Level 1
Level 2

(iii) What is the media in which your material is available?

Print Media
Text form on computer
Multimedia form on computer
Audio/Video tapes
Any other form

(iv) Would you be able to make the material available to the University?
Yes
No

(v) Do you expect any compensation for making this material available to the University?

Yes
No

Medium of Instruction

5. Would you like the commentary or explanation to be offered in:

Tamil
English
Both
Any other language, please specify

III. Certificate Programmes

Certificate / Diploma programmes are meant for those who have a knowledge of Tamil
and want to pursue courses in Tamil literature, ancient or modern, philosophy, art and culture and history.

i. Since the learners will be mostly persons who are employed, what will be the
appropriate duration for the programme ?

ii. Should the courses be offered both for auditing and certification ?

iii. What according to you are probable areas of knowledge, which might interest
Tamils in different countries of the world ?

iv. Will the members of the target groups arrange to have access to an internet
facility on their own or will it be necessary to have study centres for getting
access to computers ?

v. If study centres are required, what are your suggestions for establishing them?

vi. Can the Tamil organisations in different countries help the university in this
regard ?

vii. Is there any help that you could render in offering their programmes ?

viii. A few topics for certificate/Diploma programmes are suggested. You may offer
your comments on their appropriateness. You may also suggest other topics that
you consider appropriate.

1. A short course on writing and speaking Tamil including relevant grammar.
2. A short History of Tamil Arts, Literature and culture.
3. A brief History of the Tamils.
4. Temples in Tamil Nadu.
5. Places of Tourist and Historical importance in Tamil Nadu.
6. Glimpses of Sangam Tamil Literature 1.
7. Glimpses of Sangam Tamil Literature 2.
8. Valluvar and his Philosophy of life.
9. Avvaiyar and her Poems.
10. Saivism and Tamil Literature.
11. Vaishavism and Tamil Literature
12. Christianity and Tamil Literature.
13. Islam and Tamil Literature.
14. An appreciation of Bharathi.
15. An appreciation of Bharati Dasan.

IV. Degree Programmes

This may be taken up later.

V. Library for the Tamil University

Library is an indispensable component of any university : the Tamil Virtual University is
no exception. We have to set up an electronic library with rich collection of books. It is proposed to develop a digital library covering Sangam Literature, Post-Sangam Literature, Literature of the Medieval Period, Later Periods and Modern Literature for the benefit of learners, general readers and researchers.

1. Your suggestions it any on any aspect of this programme are welcome.

2. The Tamil Virtual University will welcome help in acquiring digitised material if any
available.

VI. Dictionaries

It is proposed to make available for reference a few standard Dictionaries. Efforts are
being made to provide the following to start with :

i. Volumes I to VII of Tamil Lexicon, University of Madras.
ii. Dictionary of Modern Tamil words, Kriya Publications.
iii. Pals English - Tamil Dictionary, Palaniappa Brothers.
iv. A few other dictionaries on specific topics.

Your views and suggestions for building up the Dictionary component of the library are
welcome. Any help in acquiring available digitised material will be appreciated.