Prof. J. Prabhakar Rao, Director, E-learning & Head, Centre for Applied Linguistics and Translation Studies (CALTS), School of Humanities, University of Hyderabad (UoH) has been nominated by the Network Executive Committee as Regional Representative of Maaya for Asia.
Maaya represents the World Network for Linguistic Diversity which is a multilateral network created to contribute to the enhancement and promotion of linguistic diversity in the world. Its headquarters is in Geneva, Switzerland. Maaya was initiated by the African Academy of Languages (ACALAN), under the auspices of the African Union. The representatives other than Prof. Rao are Mr. Daniel Prado from Argentina (for Latin America) and Mr. Christian Tremblay from France (for Europe).
The objective of Maaya are as follows:
1. Encourage Governments and institutions to adopt and implement measures enhancing equitable multilingualism;
2. Promote software localization and equal access of all languages to cyberspace;
3. Observe the implementation of language policies and serve as a focal point for linguistic research projects.
Prof. Prabhakar Rao’s areas of research interest include Linguistics, Translation Studies, Foreign Language Teaching, Higher Education in India and e-Learning. In 2012, Prof. Rao was awarded honoris causa by Krasnodar State University of Arts and Culture, Russia and Honorary Visitor Medal by Kazan State University, Russia. Prof. Rao is the Visiting Professor to many Universities in Europe and Asia and also steering committee member and involved in an India-EU Project (2009–2012) on establishing the “Centre for Contemporary India Studies and Research” at University of Warsaw, Poland. Currently he is faculty Coordinator of India-EU project on Enhancing Quality, Governance and Access to UG Education in India (2013-2017).