Toronto University Tamil chair

Toronto University Tamil Chair

11th Annual Tamil Canadian Walk Raises $79,000 for Tamil Chair at the University of Toronto Scarborough

On September 8^th, 2019 the Canadian Tamil Congress hosted its 11th annual Tamil Canadian Walk at Thomson Memorial Park in Scarborough, Ontario. The recipient for this year’s walk was the University of Toronto, for the establishment of a chair in Tamil Studies at their Scarborough campus.  By the end of yet another successful walk-a-thon, $79,000 of donations and pledges were collected. As many of you know, the University of Toronto is Canada’s leading post-secondary institution and is located in a city with the largest number of Tamils, outside of the Indian sub-continent. The Tamil Chair once established at the university will be the first of its kind in Canada and is expected to collaborate with other institutions in advancing Tamil. In doing so, this will leverage the collective knowledge of the Tamil diaspora in its research efforts.

Hundreds of Canadians from diverse backgrounds and age groups showed up to support this event and ensured it was a resounding success! Walkers were welcomed and addressed by a variety of speakers including: Sivan Ilangko, President of Canadian Tamil Congress, Wisdom Tettey, Vice President and Principal for the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus, Lisa Lemon Executive Director of Alumni Relations, University of Toronto Scarborough Campus, Donatus Doss, President, Canadian College for Higher Studies, local member of Parliament Salma Zahid and City of Toronto Councillor Jennifer McKelvie. Ponniah Vivekananthan, Tamil Language Lecturer University of Toronto, Jeevithaa Puvirajasingam, Chair of this year’s Tamil Canadian Walk delivered the vote of thanks and Abissheka Loydson seamlessly emceed the event.  Representatives from many community organizations and media were present and supported the walk. These organizations, sponsors and significant donors were also acknowledged throughout the event. Due to the generous support of the Canadian Tamil Walk 2019’s exclusive sponsor, Canadian College for Higher Studies, 100% of the funds collected will be directed to the Toronto Tamil Chair Initiative.

If anyone wishes to donate to the Tamil Canadian Walk in support of Toronto Tamil Chair, they may do so through the donation web-link below. Online donations for the Tamil Canadian Walk 2019 will be accepted until October 1, 2019.

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/2019-tamil-canadian-walk-in-support-of-the-toronto/?fbclid=IwAR29eDCoZzlVnoM2U-RRGkx0_GQc2Ca07DGBR2Xq6SK7L1HapCOxTErSJMI

For more information on Tamil Canadian Walk, please visit: www.tamilcanadianwalk.com

For more information on Toronto Tamil Chair Initiative, please visit: www.torontotamilchair.ca

For more information on Canadian Tamil Congress, please visit: www.canadiantamilcongress.ca

Photo Credit: Canada Uthayan