This year, New College launched new courses on two ancient languages with great significance to religious traditions across the world: Syriac and Sanskrit.
Dr Salam Rassi, Lecturer in Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations: “Syriac opens up some of the most ancient translations of the Bible, the earliest Christian poetry, and the history of Christian-Muslim interactions. Only a handful of institutions in the world offer training in it. It’s exciting to see Edinburgh emerge as a new location where students can study one of the most important languages in the ancient world.”
Sanskrit is taught by Dr Upali Sraman, the School of Divinity’s first Lecturer in Buddhist Languages. “The School of Divinity’s commitment to offering Sanskrit and other ancient languages fosters a diverse and inclusive learning environment, preserving important linguistic traditions. Teaching Sanskrit is a joy because it opens the door to a fascinating tapestry of South Asian literary, cultural, religious, philosophical, and scientific achievements. The enthusiasm and diligence of my students inspire me to step into the classroom eagerly each day.”
