Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) will establish ’Bangabandhu Chair’ at the University of Delhi to honor Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and marking the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s independence and Bangladesh-India diplomatic relations.
Dinesh K. Patnaik, Director General, ICCR and Prof. P.C. Joshi, acting Vice Chancellor, University of Delhi will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on July 12 for setting up of the Chair for five academic years.
This initiative is the outcome of one of the understandings reached during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to Bangladesh in March 2021.
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The Bangabandhu Chair will focus on better understanding of developments in Bangladesh, one of India’s most important neighbours, positioned at the strategic intersection of India’s 'Neighborhood First' and 'Act East' policies, said the ICCR.
It said this step will reinforce exchanges in the field of academics, art and culture between the two countries.
As Bangladesh records consistent economic growth and has rapidly raised its socio-economic standards, there could not be a more appropriate time for Indian academia and contributors to policy making to pay more attention to Bangladesh Studies in an institutional manner, ICCR said adding that this Chair is an important step in this direction.
The Chair will be occupied by a foreign visiting Professor or subject expert on Bangladesh preferably a person of Bangladeshi origin.
The Chair will also focus on the Indo-Bangladesh common cultural heritage and subjects like Anthropology, Buddhist Studies, Geography, History, Modern Indian Languages (including Bangla), Music and Fine Arts, Political Science, International Relations and Sociology.
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It will teach as per the academic requirements of the University and will also help in guiding and mentoring of research students. It will also take part in other activities of the university relating to seminars, conferences, faculty interaction etc. and public lectures.
The ICCR has set up various Chairs on Indian studies abroad and this is the first of its kind initiative of setting-up a Chair on Bangladesh in India and is an important step towards strengthening Indo-Bangladesh ties.
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The high priority that the ICCR has always attached to enhancing cultural and educational connectivity is an extension of India's outreach to the world. ICCR is particularly proud to have Delhi University as its partner in this pioneering exercise, in recognition of the university’s long-standing reputation for excellence.