Universiti Malaya (UM) and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for the establishment of the Thiruvalluvar Chair of Indian Studies on 13 September at Universiti Malaya.
The Honorable Minister of State for External Affairs, H.E. Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh witnessed the signing ceremony between Universiti Malaya Vice Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Noor Azuan Abu Osman and the High Commissioner of India to Malaysia, H.E Shri BN Reddy, taking place at the Office of the Vice Chancellor, Universiti Malaya.
This is the continuation of efforts in ensuring the operationalisation and establishment of the Thiruvalluvar Chair initiative that was first announced during the official visit by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim to India in meeting with the Prime Minister of India, H.E. Shri Narendra Modi from 19-21 August 2024.
The MoA between Universiti Malaya and ICCR formalizes the creation of the Thiruvalluvar Chair of Indian Studies at UM. This Chair will promote academic and cultural exchange between Malaysia and India, focusing on Indian studies and contributing to research and curriculum development at UM.
Among the key objectives of the Chair are to promote academic excellence and deeper collaborations in research in advancing Indian studies and related fields in UM, and in fostering higher levels of spillover impact in promoting greater resilience in people to people ties and in the overall bilateral ties between India and Malaysia.
The Chair holder will be appointed for one academic year and extendable for another, with the first Chair holder expected in the 2025 academic year. The agreement is set to last for five years.
This agreement will strengthen ties between Malaysia and India, fostering greater academic cooperation and mutual understanding between the two nations and in charting a new frontier of a future driven and values-based solid friendship and partnership between both countries that are rooted in the historical legacy of mutual trust, friendship and cooperation.
The Honourable Minister Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh has expressed keen interests and delight in the productive and impactful discussions on the way forward for greater Universiti Malaya- India ties and the relations between Malaysia and India as a whole.
Among other key aspects being discussed during the meeting between the Vice Chancellor of Universiti Malaya and the top management of the university with the Honourable Minister Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh and the top officials from the High Commissioner are the creation of the matching grant initiative between Universiti Malaya and several top institutions in India.
This will facilitate a greater joint commitment and synergy in capitalising on shared strength, resources and capacity among the institutions in ensuring the success of identified key strategic projects and sectors that will benefit both countries, especially on digital economy, energy transition, Artificial Intelligence, civilisational development, high impact technology and scientific progress, and others.
The Vice Chancellor has also initiated the concept of the creation of Universiti Malaya – India Centre for Global and Civilisational Advancement which will foster deeper synergy at all levels of cooperation between the university and India, encompassing academic, research, human capital, socio-economic, industry and high technology advancement. This plan is at the preliminary stage of discussion which will be further worked on by the University and the High Commission of India.
The Vice Chancellor has also discussed the importance of elevating the quintessence of human capital development through greater levels of mobility in knowledge and human capital and the expansion of positive and resonating research impact between both countries that will promote regional and global peace, prosperity and progress in civilisational development and advancement of both countries.
These include high level exchanges and synergy of academic and research cooperation between UM and Indian institutions, and having top Nobel Laureates and other experts from India to be involved in more joint programmes in UM and Malaysia to bolster a holistic domain of world class education and insights for the local populace and fostering greater exchanges and inclusivity.
Universiti Malaya continues to spearhead new future driven strategic drives in advancing the ties between Malaysia and India with the creation of critical openings and domains in key areas for a resilient and forward-looking relationship between both countries, especially in advancing people to people ties and building key values.
The University is deeply appreciative and grateful for the presence of the Honourable Minister Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh and the top officials in seeing this vital establishment of the Thiruvalluvar Chair to come to fruition, and in discussing various strategic collaborations for the benefit of both countries.