The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) is going to sign a MoU with the Delhi University on Monday to set up ‘Bangabandhu Chair’ honouring the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh - Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
This initiative is the outcome of one of the understandings reached during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Bangladesh in March 2021, marking the 50th anniversary of the Bangladesh Liberation War and Indo-Bangladesh Diplomatic relations.
The ICCR was founded in 1950 by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, independent India’s first Education Minister.
It 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, the ICCR said in a statement.
“The high priority that ICCR has always attached to enhancing cultural and educational connectivity is an extension of India's outreach to the world.”
Dinesh K. Patnaik, Director General, ICCR and Prof. P.C. Joshi, Acting Vice Chancellor, University of Delhi will sign the MoU on Monday for setting up of the Chair. The MoU will be for a duration of five academic years.
“The focus of the Bangabandhu Chair will be on better understanding of developments in Bangladesh, one of India’s most important neighbours, positioned at the strategic intersection of our 'Neighborhood First' and 'Act East' policies.”
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,” the ICCR said.
“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 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.
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 and public lectures.
