The latest among them is the Area Studies Department of the University Grants Commission (UGC). At a conference of directors of Area Studies in Goa recently, directors from 20 Area Studies Departments across the country debated on making available their expertise to scientific institutions and corporate bodies.

Consequently, the UGC has identified the Latin American Studies Department, European Studies, South Asian Studies Department and Japanese and Chinese Studies Department as thrust areas in this regard. ``We shall interact with the Ministry of External Affairs and exchange information with it,'' says Prof V Shivkumar, director, Department of Latin American Studies, based in Goa. Prof Shivkumar, who chaired the conference told The IndianExpress that the departments will closely examine the economic relationships between India and the respective countries.

These departments in collaboration with the UGC will plan specific courses to cater to the needs of industries which have business links with the countries of their specialisation. ``The Latin American department, for instance, can brief businessmen on the creditworthiness of the industries in the region,'' Prof Shivkumar said. He felt that by accessing the services of the corporate sector, the departments can augment their finances in a big way. Currently, the UGC has earmarked nearly Rs 4 crore on the 21 area study centres across different Indian universities. Already the area studies department have begun work on several projects on an experimental basis. The Centre for Japanese and Chinese Studies attached to Delhi University is already conducting courses on business practices and culture particular to the region. At an interface held between officials from the Union IndustriesMinistry and representatives of Latin American countries held in Goa in 1997, tourism to India was identified as an important area to be promoted in the New World. Similarly, Indian businessmen were provided information anddata on markets in these countries.

The Area Studies directors also urged the Ministry of External Affairs to post members of their faculty in Indian missions of their specialisation.