The universities have won a $364,871 Government grant to establish this country's first National Centre for Islamic Studies and hope to have the degree and diploma programmes in place by 2010.
It was expected papers in subjects such as Islamic politics, religion and culture, Arabic and anthropology would be offered to students at both universities, with students from elsewhere participating through Otago's distance learning programme, the head of Otago's department of theology and religious studies, Prof Paul Trebilco, said yesterday.
In addition, the centre would support postgraduate and staff research, host public lectures by New Zealand-based and visiting scholars and provide advice on aspects of Islam.
Plans for a centre were first raised in 1999 but had not proceeded, Otago senior lecturer in theology and religious studies Dr Greg Dawes said.
The idea re-emerged because of factors including the increasing number of Muslims living in New Zealand and the increased global profile of the Muslim religion since the 9/11 World Trade Centre terrorism attacks, he said.
A paper already offered through Otago's political studies department which debated Islam and terrorism was already very popular with students, he said, as was an introductory religious studies paper examining Christianity, Islam and Judaism.
‘‘There is a desire to know more. It is important that a range of views is available,' Dr Dawes said.
Prof Morris said another important factor in the establishment of the centre was New Zealand's proximity to two Muslim neighbours, Malaysia and Indonesia.
‘‘To understand the region you need to understand Islam.''