India-China centre to be set up in Kolkata

Kolkata, May 17 (UNI) A world class research and training centre, devoted entirely to China, with focus on business and economy, is coming up here.

The India-China Centre would be set up by Observer Research Foundation (ORF), a Delhi-based prominent public policy think-tank.

According to an ORF statement here today, the India China Centre would be the highlight of ORF's Kolkata chapter. ORF, with its headquarters in Delhi, has already chapters in Mumbai, Chennai and Ahmedabad.

ORF's China initiative would seek to facilitate the development of a mutually beneficial relationship between India and China through research, informed policy recommendations, education, communications of cross-country perspectives and scholarly exchanges, the statement said.

The ORF India China Centre would view India and China in terms of bilateral relations and in terms of their unique position jointly in a fast changing global context.

Efforts at the Centre would focus on contemporary India and China and on business and trade integrating an understanding of historical, social and cultural contexts.

ORF India China Centre was coming up at New Town and land had already been acquired and the construction of the building would begin shortly.

The building would house a knowledge centre, a learning centre, a consulting centre, a language lab and space for cultural events.

Dr Falguni Sen, advisor to ORF's India China Centre and professor of Management at Fordham University, US, said the knowledge centre would host numerous databases relevant to businesses in India and China as well as case studies of experiences of doing business in each country.

Dr Sen said the learning centre would have instruction abilities for executive development programmes and seminars and workshops as well as research facilities for faculty. The learning centre would also have facilities for exchange of scholars and encourage collaborative research from both countries.

''Faculty at the learning centre will also undertake independent research. A consulting centre is also envisaged, which will be populated by a network of experts from all over the world. The cultural space will encourage cross-cultural understanding and provide for networking opportunities,'' Dr Sen said.

He said the ORF India China Centre would conduct periodic seminars, workshops and training programmes on issues relevant to both countries.

The centre would seek collaborations with educational institutions, research centres and industry associations from China for research and educational activities.

''In ten years time we want to be known as the place to go to first if you want to know anything about China,'' Dr Sen said.

Observer Research Foundation is an independent, private, public policy think-tank. Its endeavour is to help shape public policies for a strong and prosperous India which is expected to be a world leader by 2020. ORF complements official initiatives by exploring policy alternatives.

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