The Dravidian University is seeking funds from the Territorial government to begin comparative studies and research in languages of the four southern States of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Karnataka.
Professor Kankanala Rathnaiah, Vice-Chancellor of the university, would be meeting Chief Minister N Rangasamy in this regard on Monday afternoon.
The Vice-Chancellor was likely to meet the Lieutenant Governor Virendra Kataria also and brief him about the activities of the university set up to promote integration and fraternity among the major Dravidian language speakers.
Talking to Express on Sunday, professor Rathnaiah said his institution focused mainly on research in Dravidian studies and on the contemporary perceptions of higher education targeting the regional demands of rural areas.
He said at present, it offered postgraduate courses in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Telugu and doctoral programmes in southern languages. It focused on research on languages, literature, culture and promoted extensive project of translation of texts and narratives, in addition to a comparative study of cultures and languages, including visual and performing arts, he said.
There were nearly 20 departments in the university and the admission was based on entrance test, he added.The Vice-Chancellor further said the university offered 10 per cent reservation, in addition to the existing norms of reservation to the SC, ST and OBCs. The TN government had already extended funds to the Tamil Department and UGC is offering fellowships to students on projects, he said.
Prof Rathnaiah said the university would also cater to the needs of students of Telengana State.
E S L Narasimhan, Governor of Andhra Pradesh State, is the Chancellor of the Dravidian University. The university, set up in 1997, is located in Srinivasavanam Kuppam in Chittoor district and is engaged in advance studies and research in the integrated body of the Dravidian linguistic and cultural heritage.