On June 28 2011 Aarhus University signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) under the Indian Government.

As part of this agreement, Aarhus University will host an ICCR Chair one semester during each academic year. The Chair will be a professor from an Indian research institution chosen in collaboration between ICCR and Aarhus University. The ICCR Chair will be an active member of the research environment at ARTS and will teach courses in contemporary Indian studies to Aarhus University students as well as offering public lectures.

According to Vice-dean Jan Ifversen, the agreement is a significant strengthening of Aarhus University’s research and teaching environment surrounding Asian Studies. “In recent years we have experienced an increased focus on India and their excellent research and educational institutions. With this agreement we have a unique opportunity to collaborate even further with our Indian partner institutions and attract the best qualified researchers to Aarhus University”.

The agreement was signed as part of a visit to Aarhus University by the Indian Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Ashok Kumar Attri. It takes effect in August 2011, when Aarhus University will welcome its first ICCR Chair.