Volkswagen Foundation Germany for academic Cooperation with Kashmir University

Srinagar, May 09 (Scoop News) –    The Institute of Political Science, Geissan and the Volkswagen Foundation Hanovar, Germany,  are likely to get hooked to Kashmir University (KU) [through Centre of Central Asian Studies] for bilateral academic cooperation. The partnership will be explored for Joint research projects, conference, workshops, publications, teaching courses, faculty exchange and other programmes, and the subjects of research would broadly cover the issues confronting the Caucasian and Central Asian world.

This was agreed to between the Vice Chancellor KU, Prof. Riyaz Punjabi, and two noted German academicians, Prof. Reimund Seidelmann  and Dr Wolfgang Leverman, during   an interactive session with the faculty and research scholars of CCAS and the University as a whole. Dr. Wolfgang, head of the most important funding agency in Germany, Volkswagen Foundation , assured to provide every possible support to the KU in accomplishing its academic targets in the speedily transforming world. Volkswagen Foundation has a  noble mission  to facilitate collaboration among the academic stakeholders in globe at large with no  profiteering motive, he said. The Foundation’s initiative “International Focus” supports research and teaching in and about countries other than Germany through a well defined procedure. Stressing that desirous institutions, faculty and research scholars can apply to the Volkswagen Foundation for financial support against well-justified projects, he revealed that like Central Asians, the faculty of CCAS and the University can be associated with the project management programmes  of the Volkswagen Foundation at various levels for their capacity building in research and teaching.  By this proposed collaboration, the Indian, German and Central Asian scholars would find a common platform to share thought, expertise etc.

Earlier in his welcome address, Central  Asian expert,  Prof Mushtaq A Kaw & Director Area Study Centre of CCAS, introduced the guests to faculty and research scholars of the KU , and said that  the upcoming  collaboration  and financial support from Volkswagen Foundation would go a long way in benefiting the KU in general and the faculty and research scholars in particular. 

Prof Riyaz Punjabi, Vice chancellor KU,  in his Presidential remarks,  expressed happiness over the arrival of the Foundation  team  to KU and said  that  CCAS Kashmir  university has emerged as one of the pioneering centres  of research on  Central Asia in diverse fields. The future   collaborations between KU and German Institutions will open new vistas of opportunities for budding scholars of KU, the VC said. Director CCAS, Prof. G R Jan presented vote of thanks on the occasion, and Prof .G. N Khaki welcomed the guests on the occasion.   The meeting was attended by Prof.  G.M.Mir, Prof. Bandey, Noor Mohammad Baba, Prof. Asifa Jan, and other faculty members of the CCAS, Political Science, Economics and other Departments of the KU.

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