Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the South Asia Foundation ("SAF") and the Institute of South Asian Studies ("The Institute"), established under Government College University (GCU), Lahore (in the process of formation).
This MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MoU) between the South Asia Foundation ("SAF") and the Institute of South Asian Studies (in the process of formation) ("the Institute") sets forth the agreements reached between the parties through GC University Lahore - Pakistan relating to the implementation and establishment of the Institute. This MOU is drawn up further to the submission to SAF Governing Council for the establishment of the Institute.
Establishment of the Institute
1. The Institute will be established in GC University Lahore as a centre of excellence for research and education in South Asian Studies. The Institute will be established as a legal entity associated / affiliated with the GC University Lahore.
Objectives of the Institute
2. In conformity with the cardinal SAF objectives of promoting regional cooperation, the Institute will establish itself as a centre of excellence for research and education in South Asian Studies. As the leading institution of its kind, it will undertake teaching and research in its chosen areas.
3. The Institute will design and undertake research projects and provide financial support to research programmes approved by it. It will offer fellowships to academics and professionals to undertake research on topics relating to South Asian Studies. It will also engage in publication of books, journals, working papers, bulletins and newsletters containing original research works and articles, reports and information about matters of interest to researchers and other concerned in the field. The Institute will organise national and international conferences, seminars, symposiums, workshops and lectures on subjects relating to South Asian Studies for interested persons.
4. The faculty, fellows, researchers and students of the Institute will be drawn from all SAARC countries, so that it acquires a truly South Asian character and can acquire a central position in South Asian cooperation in the fields of research, education, human rights and development in cooperation with the other SAF institutions and centres of excellence.
Association of the Institute with GC University, Lahore
5. The Institute will be responsible for entering into necessary agreements and arrangements with GCU for purposes of offering the Degrees, diplornas and for the use of support services and facilities of GCU, including a library.
Organizational structure and management
6. The Institute will be established as a semi autonomous organization under the direct supervision of the GC University, Lahore.
7. Although the Institute will work under the direct supervision of the GC University Lahore, the organizational and management structure of the Institute will allow academic autonomy to encourage creativity and full contribution of its faculty, fellows, researchers and students in fulfilling its mission. It will have its own management and staff. At the same time, the Institute's existence as a part of GCU, Lahore will be recognized.
8. The Institute will have financial autonomy. It will not be financially dependent on GCU, Lahore and will raise and spend funds in its own name.
9. The Institute shall have:
a) A Governing Body consisting of the following:
1. Vice Chancellor, GC University, Lahore.
2. Chairperson of SAF-Pakistan chapter ex-officio.
3. Dean of Arts, GC University, Lahore.
4. Two experts with specialization in South Asian Studies.
5. Chairperson of the Political Science Department, GC University, Lahore.
6. Chairperson of the History Department, GC University, Lahore.
7. Treasurer, GC University, Lahore.
8. Director of the Institute will work as Secretary of the body.
The management of the affairs of the Institute will be entrusted to the Governing Body.
b) An International Advisory Board consisting of the following:
1. Vice Chancellor, GC University, Lahore.
2. Prominent scholars (3-4) of international repute (one of Indian origin) in the field of International Law, Political Science, Anthropology, Economics and other related fields, to be appointed by the Vice Chancellor in consultation with the chairperson of the SAF Pakistan Chapter.
3. Director of the Institute.
The work of the Institute will be guided by this Board.
c) An Academic Committee consisting of the following:
1. Dean of Arts, GC University, Lahore
2. Controller of Examinations, GC University, Lahore
3. Director of the Institute
4. A staff member of the Institute.
The academic affairs of the Institute will be super-vised by the Committee.
d) A Director to be appointed by the Vice Chancellor GC University, Lahore with the consultation of the chairperson of the SAF Pakistan chapter.
The Director shall be responsible for day to day management and academic affairs of the Institute.
10. The first Goveming Body, International Advisory Board, Academic Committee and the Director shall be approved by the chairperson of SAF Pakistan Chapter. Subsequent appointments shall be made in pursuance of appropriate procedures drawn up by agreement between the Institute and chairperson of the SAF Pakistan Chapter.
11. To start with, the size of the faculty of the Institute would be small and may be supported by outside resource persons. Commensurate with the objective of regional exchange and collaboration, both the permanent and the part-time faculty of the Institute will be drawn from SAARC countries and, where appropriate, intemationally.
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Research and Fellowships
12. The Institute will actively promote research on themes within its areas of expertise. The faculty of the Institute will be expected to have research interests in these areas and actively engage in research.
The Institute will also design and undertake collaborative research projects, and will encourage outside resource persons from SAARC countries to become involved in the research initiatives of the Institute. Sufficient funds will be earmarked for research activities of the Institute.
13. To further strengthen its research - and also teaching - base, every year the Institute shall offer to scholars from SAARC countries at least five fully funded Fellowships/scholarships (including one Indian national) for the period determined by the Institute.
The Institute may also invite academics or professionals from the leading universities of the world to spend a year at the Institute as Visiting Professors or Scholars.
The Fellowships/Scholarships will be properly advertised, including advertisement in international media, so that they become adequately competitive.
Partnership with institutions of excellence
14. The Institute will endeavour to establish partnership with SAF institutions and centres of excellence and with the world-reputed academic institutions for specific inputs in the form of faculty and curriculum content. Which institutions are to be approached for partnership and the nature of association with them will be decided in due course by the governing and advisory bodies of the Institute.
The careful selection of prestigious partners who have high quality competence, programmes or facilities to share and who wish to learn from South Asia and Pakistan will be an important strategic aspect of the Institute's development.
Financial contribution of SAF
15. SAF undertakes to contribute a total of US$ 1,000,000/- (one million United States dollars) towards the establishment and operation of the Institute ("the contribution") over a period of five years.
16. The First installment of the aforesaid contribution should not be less than US$ 200,000/- (two hundred thousand United State dollars). It will be paid by SAF into a bank account of the SAF Pakistan Chapter ("the account"). The account will be operated under the joint signatures of Chairperson of SAF Pakistan chapter and the Director of the Institute.
17. The Institute and SAF will enter into necessary arrangements for payment by SAF the remainder of the contribution as and when required.
18. In conformity with the SAF Governing Council resolution adopted in 2002 at Beaulieu-sur-Mer, France, SAF shall not fund any project without at least a matching contribution in cash or kind against SAF's financial assistance.
19. The Institute shall submit an annual Audit Report to SAF Governing Council and a progress report on the Institute.
20. It is stipulated that SAF shall discontinue funding the Institute in case the Institute fails to fully comply with SAF's cardinal objective of promoting regional cooperation.
Additional financial support
21. The Institute will be responsible for raising additional funds that may be necessary for the establishment and operation of the Institute. The Institute undenakes to inform SAF from time to time of additional support that may be forthcoming for the Institute.
Appointment of the first Director
22. Immediately after the first instalment of the contribution is paid, SAF Pakistan Chapter and the Institute will jointly undertake all necessary steps to appoint the first Director of the Institute, bearing in mind that commensurate with the aim of the Institute to establish itself as a centre of excellence she/he should be a scholar of international repute and capable of implementing this MoU and the Proposal. She/he will be a SAARC national.
23. The Institute shall install a metal placard, prominently displaying the following text:
'The Institute of South Asian Studies is funded by South Asia Foundation (SAF) which is a secular, non-profit and non-political organization, founded in 2000 by UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Madanjeet Singh - a former alumnus of GCU.
The cardinal objective of the organization is to sustain a movement, in particular involving youth, to promote regional cooperation and peace through education, cultural interaction and mutual understanding among the people of south Asia'.
'SAF has been admitted into official relationship with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and recognized as an Apex Body of South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC). The aims, objectives and activities of SAF are in conformity with the spirit, purpose and principles of the two international organizations'.
Signed on 17th January 2007:
Prof. Salima Hashmi
Chairperson, South Asia Foundation chapter in Pakistan, Lahore.
Dr. Khalid Aftab
Vice Chancellor, GC University Lahore on behalf of the Institute of South Asian Studies GC University Lahore, Pakistan.
Ambassador Madanjeet Singh
UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador
Founder, South Asia Foundation (SAF).
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