NEW YORK, NY (TIP): The Consulate General of India, New York in association with Rutgers University organized an event on June 19, 2013 announcing the commencement of the ”ICCR Chair on Contemporary Indian Studies” at Rutgers University. About 90 guests including high level officials of Rutgers University, New Jersey Department of Higher Education and Department of Labor, delegates from India, academicians from other universities, media persons, officials of the Consulate and others attended this memorable event.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Ambassador Dnyaneshwar Mulay, Consul General of India, New York on behalf of the ICCR and Dr. Richard L. Edwards, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and interim Chancellor, Rutgers University to initiate this academic partnership which will bring a distinguished visiting professor annually from India to teach courses on different subjects, deliver public lectures, and engage directly with staff and students at Rutgers University.

Under the collaboration of the Singh- Obama 21st Century Knowledge Initiative, Rutgers University was one of five institutions with Tata Institute for Social Sciences (TISS) as its partner institute to be awarded the grant in the first round of awards announced during the India-US Higher Education Dialogue in 2012. As part of the study tour for this international scholar exchange, the University and representatives of TISS held a panel discussion, in which, experts on reforming education and training systems, discussed higher education and skills development in a transnational context.

Rutgers is one of four U.S. institutions to receive a grant of approximately $250,000 from President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s 21st Century Knowledge Initiative. The program was announced in November 2009 as an affirmation of the leaders’ commitment to enhancing India-U.S. partnerships in education. Each government pledged $5 million for this endeavor, for a total of $10 million to encourage mutual understanding, facilitate educational reform, foster economic development and engage civil society through academic cooperation.

Rutgers, with the assistance of its partner institution, Tata Institute of Social Sciences in Mumbai, will welcome a distinguished visiting professor from India to teach courses, deliver public lectures and engage directly with faculty, staff and students. The initiative aims to increase study abroad opportunities for American students through international service learning, internships and dual degree opportunities.