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Autumn 2000 (8.3)
Page
82
Education
Azerbaijani
Studies at Indiana University
  Photo: Azerbaijani class at
Indiana University, from left to
right:
Megan Weedr, Prof. Shahyar Daneshgar, Shannon O'Lear, Zeri
Rayerson and Jim Dasney.
Indiana University, located in Bloomington, Indiana, was one
of the first institutions in the U.S. to become a visionary and
pioneer in the field of Soviet and East European Studies, with
a concentration on the Central Eurasian regions. The university's
interest in Azerbaijani studies dates back to the 1950s. In fact,
the university press published the first Azerbaijani textbook
in English, "Basic Course in Azerbaijani," in 1963
by Fred Householder.
Presently, Indiana University is the only U.S. campus where Azerbaijani
language is being taught. This past summer for the third time,
the introductory course was taught by Shahyar Daneshgar as part
of the Summer Workshop in Slavic, Central Asian and Caucasian
Languages. Four students received full scholarships to study
Azeri.
Indiana University is also working in direct relationship with
several Azerbaijani universities. In 1998, it received a U.S.
government grant for university linkage programs in public administration
with Western University in Baku through Indiana University's
School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA). In this three-year
project, SPEA is working to establish a master's degree program
in Public Administration.
In 1999, Indiana University received a second major grant for
a linkage program with Baku State University. Already, this collaboration
has resulted in the establishment of an American Studies Center
at Baku State, equipped with an Internet-enabled computer center.
In addition, this grant provides for an exchange of four to six
scholars annually between Baku State and Indiana University.
In September 2000, Baku State Rector Abel Maharramov will visit
Indiana University for discussions about future cooperation between
the two institutions.
Contact: Shahyar Daneshgar at: sdaneshg@
indiana.edu
_____
From Azerbaijan
International
(8.3) Autumn 2000.
© Azerbaijan International 2000. All rights reserved.
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