ICCR and Kuwaiti University Collaborate to Launch Hindi Chair at GUST

The ICCR and GUST in Kuwait have signed an MoU to establish an Indian Studies Chair for teaching Hindi, marking ICCR's first such initiative in Kuwait. The collaboration includes the appointment of an Indian academic and recognizes the contribution of the Indian diaspora and Hindi's global prominence.

The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and the Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST) in Kuwait formalized a significant partnership on Thursday, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to set up an Indian Studies Chair dedicated to teaching Hindi. The MoU was signed by the Ambassador of India to Kuwait, Dr. Adarsh Swaika, on behalf of the ICCR, and Professor Bassam Alameddine, President of GUST, according to a press release from the Indian Embassy in Kuwait.

As per the agreement, the ICCR, coordinating with GUST, will appoint an expert Indian academician to instruct Hindi at GUST for a term of up to three years. This initiative represents ICCR's inaugural academic chair in Kuwait and signifies a pivotal advancement in promoting Hindi and Indian studies within the country. Additionally, a weekly Hindi radio program commenced on Kuwait National Radio in April 2024.

The measures highlight the growing emphasis on Hindi in Kuwait, acknowledging the significant influence of the substantial Indian community there. Hindi is among the world's most spoken languages, boasting over 600 million speakers, second only to Mandarin and English. Its reach extends globally, with substantial Indian communities in Mauritius, Fiji, Nepal, and Trinidad and Tobago. The United Nations also recognized Hindi's international relevance by launching Hindi social media platforms and a Hindi UN News website in 2018. A counterpart Hindi Chair was previously established in Oman in December 2023, marking another milestone in the region.

(With inputs from agencies.)