Newswise — An announcement at festivities celebrating an historic visit by A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, former president of India, has signaled the establishment of a new major endowment at the University of Kentucky for research, teaching and outreach efforts targeting studies related to the nation of India. An initial $1 million donation presented at a community dinner honoring Kalam launched the President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam India Studies Endowment Fund that hopes to raise additional private funding for a proposed center dedicated to India studies at UK. The creation of the Kalam Endowment for India Studies was made possible through a major gift from Dr. Melappalayam S. and Mrs. Sowmya Vijayaraghavan (known locally as Viji), of Lexington.
The new endowment named for Kalam and the multidisciplinary center it envisions will be housed under the UK Office of the Provost. The proposed Center of Excellence for India Studies would promote both individual and collaborative studies representing India throughout the academic enterprise of UK. Such work would provide Kentucky and U.S. students the opportunity to learn about India in depth, as well as provide exposure for UK in India.
The new endowment is certain to advance UK's work in providing a global education for students at the university. "As a part of its Top 20 plan, UK is increasing its internationalization efforts," said UK Provost Kumble Subbaswamy. "In order to prepare our students to succeed in today's world, we need to increase our academic coverage of different parts of the world. The establishment of the Kalam India Studies Endowment is an important step in accelerating this process. We look forward to the growth of this endowment and increased engagement with this important part of the world."
Plans call for critical elements of the center to focus on research, teaching and outreach and utilize several endowed professorships in areas such as Indian business, languages, religion, health care, agriculture, politics and culture. The faculty assembled by the center would work together to promote cross-fertilization of ideas and multidisciplinary interactions that allow for the further enhancement of academic, economic, and cultural relations between India and Kentucky. The Viji family's gift to UK will help fund the first of the proposed endowed professorships and research support in India Business Studies through the Gatton College of Business and Economics.
"The receipt of this gift is the next major step in allowing our curriculum to become truly international and helps to reinforce our 'world-ready' theme at the Gatton College," Dean Devanathan Sudharshan of the Gatton College of Business and Economics said. "This gift is enabling us to create a regional studies program revolving around one of the largest democracies and growing economic superpowers in the world."
Other objectives of the proposed center include: exchange programs for students; identification and development of innovative models of education for undergraduate and graduate students from both countries; idea exchanges based on topics of study; expansion of investment opportunities for Kentucky-based businesses and development of possible business partnerships; and the promotion of a better understanding of India in the U.S.
The endowment was named for Kalam, the former president of India who has championed several advancements in the nation's development, as well as numerous educational causes. His Excellency served his nation from 2002 to 2007 and is considered a leader in India's quest to become a fully developed nation by 2020. The former president's Technology Vision 2020 plan is a road map for India in its quest to move up in status to a developed nation that is based on a strong knowledge base. Kalam has demonstrated great dedication to students in particular as he feels they are essential in helping him achieve his vision for India's future.
While the UK endowment in his name is thought to be a first in the U.S., his Excellency has also been recognized by numerous educational institutions worldwide with more than 30 honorary doctorates celebrating his contributions to his field and his dedication to excellence in education. Earlier Monday, Kalam, also known for his work as a distinguished rocket scientist, received an Honorary Doctorate of Science at UK. For more information on the President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam India Studies Endowment Fund, contact the UK Office of Development at (800) 875-6272 or (859) 257-3912 or visit online at http://www.uky.edu/Development.
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