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DCU signs MOU with Indian Council for Cultural Relations

Dublin City University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), New Delhi to establish the ICCR Chair of Politics and International Affairs at DCU.  The new Chair will conduct courses in Contemporary Indian Perspectives on International Affairs, and International Affairs and Foreign Policy in the Developing World, and deliver the ICCR Lecture on India at DCU.

The Indian Council for Cultural Relations was founded in 1950 by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, independent India’s first Education Minister. The Council helps formulate and implement policies relating to India’s external cultural relations, to foster mutual understanding between India and other countries and to promote cultural exchanges with other peoples.

Speaking at the signing of the Memorandum, DCU President, Professor Brian MacCraith said,

“In signing this memorandum with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, DCU reaffirms its commitment to deepening engagement and links with India.  This new collaboration builds on the many strategic partnerships already developed by DCU faculty and researchers and, through initiatives such as our Ireland India Institute, DCU will continue to explore ways to better understand India, her people and her culture.”

Ambassador of India to Ireland, Mr Debashish Chakravarti. co-signatory of the Memorandum said,

“Through this strategic partnership with Dublin City University, we have an opportunity to build on the existing strong links between India and Ireland, developing greater mutual understanding of our two cultures.”

The Ireland India Institute, a new national centre at DCU, aims to support collaboration in education, research and knowledge exchange between Ireland and contemporary India. Building on DCU's track record in research and academic collaboration with India, the Institute will provide practical support for collaboration through initiatives such as the Ireland India Institute Research Fund, Ireland India Institute Scholarships and a Seminar Series.