PRESS RELEASE

Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and Al-Quds University sign MOU to establish Chair of Indian Studies

Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and Al-Quds University in Abu Dis, Palestine today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish an Academic Chair of Indian Studies at the University. Representative of India to State of Palestine H.E. Anish Rajan, signed the MOU on behalf of the ICCR while H.E. Dr. Imad Abu Kishk, President of Al Quds University signed for the Palestinian side.

 During the signing ceremony, Representative of India, in his remarks, emphasized the importance of cooperation between the two countries in the field of education and stated that the establishment of this Academic Chair will further enhance bilateral relations in this important sector. As per the terms of the MOU, ICCR, in consultation with the University, shall appoint a Visiting Professor to hold the Chair. The Professor would contribute to the academic life of the University by engaging in teaching, research, mentoring, in addition to taking part in activities such as departmental seminars, conferences, lectures on India, etc.

 This is ICCR's first ever Academic Chair in Palestine and is a major step in popularizing studies related to India in Palestine, thereby fulfilling ICCR's mandate of fostering and strengthening academic and cultural links between India and the world and also towards enhancing knowledge and awareness about India. ICCR also administers 50 scholarships annually to the Palestinian students to pursue Bachelors, Masters and PhD courses in prestigious Indian universities. The scholarship programme is immensely popular in Palestine and over 90 students from West Bank and Gaza have benefited from these scholarships since its inception in 1998.

Ramallah,

November 12, 2017

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