India, China sign MoU for extending Hindi language course

India, China sign MoU for extending Hindi language course

beijing, Apr 12 India and China today signed an agreement(समझौता) to extend the term of Hindi language course functioning at a leading Chinese University since 2012. The MoU was signed by Consul General of Shanghai Consulate(वाणिज्य दूतावास) Prakash Gupta, on behalf of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) President Cao Deming in Shanghai. The initial MoU was signed on October 29, 2012 for a period of five years by (then) Ambassador of India to China and Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and SISU Executive Vice President Feng Qinghua.

Under the terms of the agreement, the MoU envisaged appointing a Hindi language professor by ICCR in consultation with SISU to teach the language to Chinese and international students at the University.

The Chair, in addition to the teaching assignments, also conducted research in the language, a statement by the Indian Consulate in Shanghai said.

The first course on Hindi language at SISU commenced in September 2013, wherein a total of 11 Chinese students enrolled.

During the course of the study, eight of the students visited India to study at the Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya ­ Hindi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Wardha in Maharashtra where they stayed for ten months, learning not only the language but imbibing various aspects of Indian culture as well, the statement said.

These students have also been active participants in various activities organised by the Consulate General of India, Shanghai, and have also won several awards and accolades at the Hindi Diwas celebrations last year.

These students are expected to graduate in June this year, following which the new batch of students will be enrolled, it said.

With the completion of the term of the first MoU approaching, both ICCR and SISU agreed to extend its term for another four years, given the popularity of Hindi language amongst Chinese students.

Naveen Chandra Lohani from the Kurukshetra University of India has joined as the new Hindi Chair at SISU since February 2017, for a period of two years.

SISU is an internationally recognised, prestigious academic institution distinctive for its multidisciplinary and multicultural nature.

In addition to the Hindi Chair, SISU Hindi department has two local faculties, both having acquired proficiency in Hindi language from reputed Indian Institutes.