MOU continues partnership agreement to bring Indian scholars to SFU

A partnership agreement between Simon Fraser University, the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) and the Hari Madhu Varshney Visiting Scholars program in Indian Studies will continue to attract visiting Indian scholars to the university, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding. The MOU renewal supports the continuation of the ICCR Chair of Indian Studies Visiting Scholar program, which has been in place since 2014.

The program receives crucial funding support from the Hari and Madhu Varshney endowment, while important contributors, in addition to the Varshneys, include Inde and Sarup Mann and Rita and Barj Dhahan.

To date, the program has brought four visiting scholars from India to SFU. Scholars share their knowledge and expertise and build agreements in a diverse range of research areas, including most recently, professor Prabhakaran Dorairaj, vice president of research & policy at the Public Health Foundation of India, who shared his expertise in cardiovascular health and diet.

The renewal will encourage additional visiting scholars over the next five years and provide a pathway to strengthen strategic institutional and industry partnerships with SFU in India.

The MOU was signed on June 13 by SFU President Joy Johnson and the Consul General of the Consulate of India, Consul General Manish.

“We are grateful for the strong relationships we have developed in India and the support of the Consulate General to mobilize and deepen our engagement,” says Johnson. “We believe the renewal of our MOU with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations will continue to strengthen our bond and expand our existing ties in important areas of research and education.”