VNSGU initiative to teach foreign languages: 16 students enrol for French, German courses
PM had suggested to CM Bhupendra Patel to start foreign language courses at VNSGU last December
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VNSGU Officials said German and French courses commenced earlier this week with 16 students – 9 studying French and seven German. (File Photo)After Surat-headquartered Veer Narmad South Gujarat University (VNSGU), in a purported response to the call of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, decided to open a department of foreign languages to create interpreters who would aid the city’s diamond business network abroad, 16 students have joined French and German courses being provided under the initiative.
Modi, when inaugurating the Surat Diamond Bourse last December, had suggested to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to start foreign language courses at VNSGU. “The local students will benefit in terms of employment as through, SDB a large number of foreign clients will come to Surat and it would be difficult for diamond businessmen to interact with them. So, with the help of a local interpreter, Surat’s businessmen will not face difficulties. Communication is an important tool to become a global hub,” the PM had said.
Following this, it was decided that VNSGU will offer short-term certificate and diploma courses in German, Swedish, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Russian, French, Mandarin (Chinese), Finnish and Dutch languages. Visiting faculty members were recruited to start the courses, currently being held in the English department.
VNSGU Officials said German and French courses commenced earlier this week with 16 students – 9 studying French and seven German.
For each course, a student has to pay a fee of Rs 10,000.
Professor Sunil Shah, head of the English department, said the thrice-weekly sessions span for 60 hours. “Classes are held from 8 am to 10 am and 6 pm to 8 pm to ensure that work of the students, if they are employed, is not affected. The mode of teaching will be in English, Hindi, and Gujarati,” he added.
Shah further said that students from Navsari, Valsad, Dang and Vadodara have sought that online courses be started. “We have brought this demand to the notice of the university and will wait for a decision.”
Dhruvi Bhatt, a resident of Ankleshwar in Bharuch who is doing master in social work at VNSGU, has enrolled for the French course. “After completing my postgraduation, I will have to face tough competitions. An extra course certificate will help me to get jobs. Also if I want to settle abroad, I will not face difficulties. French is the second most language spoken in the world.”
Similarly, 60-year-old horticulture businessman Naresh Pancholi, who has a PhD in agricultural botany from the University of Reading in London, is studying German. “I have been doing business in different parts of India and wanted to expand globally. I have good contacts in Germany and hopefully, will start from there. This course will help to me in expanding my business.”
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