In response to the overwhelming popularity of and support for The India Program, the center has been made possible by a major gift, an annual fund and an endowment totaling $10 million, provided by The India Group, an alliance of prominent business and professional leaders organized by Anil Deshpande, president of Deshpande Inc. He and his wife Chitra have long supported global initiatives at Â鶹ӳ»´«Ã½, including the original India endeavor.<\/p>\n
A wide variety of activities is envisioned for The India Center, including public presentations and other community outreach, an annual India forum, and scholarly and research activities. Anticipated activities also include exchanges of scholars and students with institutions in India, new courses and fellowships for Â鶹ӳ»´«Ã½ students, a sister-university relationship in India and an expanded permanent India collection at the Â鶹ӳ»´«Ã½ Library.<\/p>\n
President John C. Hitt described the project as an ambitious undertaking that aims to enhance partnerships with the Indian community in Central Florida, the nation and throughout the world. \u201cSuch connections are of key importance in light of India\u2019s rise to global prominence and its position at the forefront of growth in many fields,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Tony Waldrop, provost and executive vice president, said, \u201cThe India Center will enhance the academic experience for our students by providing greater opportunities to develop a global cultural awareness.\u201d<\/p>\n
John C. Bersia, special assistant to the president for Global Perspectives, led the effort to secure the major gift and develop the center concept, and he will serve with Political Science Professor Roger Handberg as interim co-chairs of the center.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have already demonstrated that we take India studies very seriously at Â鶹ӳ»´«Ã½,\u201d Bersia said. \u201cThe enthusiasm for our efforts is clear in the thousands of people \u2013 students, faculty, staff and community members \u2013 who have participated in our India-related programs. Now, we are ready to take on a larger role, that of helping to shape and define the field.\u201d<\/p>\n
Handberg added that The India Center is a multidisciplinary undertaking that will \u201cequip students to deal with issues in national security, foreign policy, economics and culture at all levels of education \u2013 undergraduate, graduate and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n
The center\u2019s areas of emphasis will include politics, economics and business, technology and communication, culture and health care.<\/p>\n
P.N. \u201cVaidy\u201d Vaidyanathan, an assistant vice president for Research and Commercialization and a member of the advisory board for the new center, called it \u201ca welcome expansion of efforts at Â鶹ӳ»´«Ã½ to educate students and the general public about the multifaceted cultural, educational and technological developments that are available through ties with India.\u201d<\/p>\n
Deshpande said the center will bring immense benefits to the Â鶹ӳ»´«Ã½ and Central Florida communities.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have worked hard to help build a strong foundation for India studies at Â鶹ӳ»´«Ã½, and it is time to reach in new directions,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n