The tsunami that hit several countries on December 26, 2004 created unprecedented devastation.

 “It is a disaster that has stunned the global community and people are lost for words to express their anguish”, said Professor Bal Ram Singh, Director, the Center for Indic Studies.
 
The global community quickly responded to this tragedy by helping in the relief and reconstruction activities in the affected countries. However, there are many questions to be answered and many things to know about Tsunami and affected people.

 “This disaster has also created a need among Americans to know more about the countries and peoples of the Eastern Indian Ocean region”, pointed out Dr. Sengupta.

This region assumes critical importance because of the rapid growth rates of the countries involved and the consequent rise in terms of trade and commerce with the US.

The Center for Indic Studies at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth has developed a 3-credit course  IST 441 entitled, “Eastern Indian Ocean Region: Before and After the Tsunami”, which is being offered in the Spring 2005, on Thursdays at 2-5 PM.

This course will be taught by a team of UMD faculty with expertise in individual countries affected by the tsunami, ocean sciences, physical environment of the region, history, economics, cultural exchanges, languages, etc., and will be supplemented by guest lecturers. 

 “We have major resource of faculty expertise in a wide range of topics related to sciences, environment, and culture, all relevant to this very timely course”, said Singh.

“Steps are being taken to get this course approved as a general education course for global awareness”, according to Singh.

Indic Center also has set up a Tsunami Relief Fund with the UMass Dartmouth Foundation to which contributions can be made.

Activities are being planned to continue with awareness program on Tsunami throughout the semester, and the course will act as a rallying point on the campus.

Further details on the course can be obtained by Prof. Suku Sengupta [ssengupta@umassd.edu or (508)  999-8470].

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