The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and the York University, Toronto have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for establishment of a Chair of Indian Studies at the York University. Consul General of India in Toronto Ms. Preeti Saran and Dr. Mamdouh Shoukri, President and Vice Chancellor of the York University signed the MoU.

Under the terms of the Agreement, ICCR, in consultation with the York University, shall appoint a Professor who would be visiting the University for a period of 13 weeks during each academic year. The Indian Professor would contribute to the academic life of the York University by engaging in teaching and research in his/her respective specialization.

York University is Canada’s third-largest university with a student population of approximately 51,000 and 2,00,000 alumni worldwide. This makes York University a suitable University to host a Chair of Indian Studies. The establishment of a Chair of Indian Studies would be an important step in furthering ICCR’s larger mandate of fostering and strengthening academic and cultural bonds and towards enhancing knowledge and awareness about India, through exchange of academicians.

New Delhi
June 23, 2010