Rutgers, Tata Institute to Begin Obama-Singh Partnership

WHAT: Signing of the memorandum of understanding for the Indian Council for Cultural Relations Chair of Contemporary Indian Studies at Rutgers University.

WHEN: Wednesday, June 19, 5:00 p.m.

WHERE: Consulate General of India, 3 East 64th Street between Fifth and Madison Avenues, New York, NY.

BACKGROUND: 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.