Posted on September 4, 2011

Simon Fraser University Establishes Hellenic Studies Center With $7 Million Grant

Simon Fraser University in British Columbia has announced the establishment of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Centre for Hellenic Studies with a $7 million grant from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation.

The new center will significantly expand SFU's academic programs in Hellenic studies, including an undergraduate program for Greek, Balkan, and Middle Eastern studies and undergraduate and graduate majors in Greek history as well as in language, literature, and culture. The grant also will enable SFU to augment its online Greek language instruction programs for Chinese-speaking students; those programs, including the popular Odysseas Online Language Tutor program, were created in 2003 with a gift from the foundation.

In addition, the center will work to enhance its ties with Chinese academic institutions and to encourage the development of Greek studies in China, with the center's graduate program training Chinese scholars in Greek history and related courses. An online academic journal also will be created to publish the research of Chinese scholars in Hellenic studies and introduce Greek scholars' research in China.

"This gift is the result of a long-term relationship with the Stavros Niarchos Foundation," said Andre Gerolymatos, chair of Hellenic studies at SFU. "The foundation initially funded the development of our unique online language tutor program, and now we are excited that we will be able to expand our activities in China as well as in North America and Europe. China, effectively, is the new frontier for Hellenic studies and can dramatically extend the reach of Hellenism in Asia and the world."