Indo-British Scholars’ Association (IBSA) and Bengal Heritage Foundation (BHF) to collaborate across UK and Bengal
Indo-British Scholars’ Association (IBSA) and Bengal Heritage Foundation (BHF) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate on in English and education, sports, culture and arts by engaging with UK alumni and the Bengali and Indian diaspora community in UK. The MOU was signed by Mr Rajive Kaul, President of IBSA and Mr Sourav Niyogi, President of BHF in the presence of Mr Nick Low (British Deputy High Commissioner) and Mr Debanjan Chakraborty, Director (East and North East, British Council). The signing event was graced by the presence of Mr Koushik Chatterjee (Trustee BHF), Mrs Reetasri Ghosh (Head of Programmes, IBSA), Saptarshi Kar (Secretary, IBSA), Ranajit Banerjee (Past President, IBSA), Samir Datta Executive Council IBSA and Radhika Singh Assistant Director Programmes, East and North East,British Council.
Both parties started collaborating the last year on programmes and webinars of interest to each other. Based on the success of such collaboration it is now mutually decided that such co-operation should be broadened to include more areas which will further engage the UK alumni and the Bengali and Indian diaspora community in UK.
The two parties shall use the occasion of BHF members visiting Kolkata in the winter months of December and January to jointly organise a BHF –IBSA cricket match, a cultural evening for the elders and a get together to celebrate Christmas and the festive season, Conversely, during the summer months, many IBSA members may visit the UK, when programmes could be held together based on mutual discussions.
Further it is agreed that based on the success of Agomoni held in October 2020, they will continue to collaborate on this programme.
Mr Nick Low (British Deputy High Commissioner noted, “The Bengal Heritage Foundation and the Indo-British Scholars Association sit at the heart of the “Living Bridge” between the United Kingdom, India and West Bengal. I’m delighted by the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding which brings together the energy, creativity and vitality of our Bengali diaspora in the UK and our large and growing network of alumni of British Universities in West Bengal and beyond. I know they will do great things together.”
Dr Debanjan Chakrabarti, Director, British Council, East and Northeast India, said, “I am delighted that IBSA, a prominent UK alumni body in Kolkata is partnering with Bengal Heritage Foundation, one of the most significant Indian diaspora institutions in the UK , who also have a large number of UK university alumni among their members. This partnership will join the dots across education, culture and community cohesion in remarkable ways, strengthening the India-UK story in a substantial way. He added, “As a UK university alumnus, I have lived this experience of how the Indian diaspora networks help newly arrived students and help them settle in. This partnership is being announced at a significant moment, when the number of Indian students in the UK are at a record high – there was a 42% increase in student visas issued this year compared to the last. The UK has also opened the Graduate Route for applications starting 1 July 2021, ensuring Indian students can continue to pursue world class education and careers in the UK.”
Mr Rajive Kaul (President – Indo-British Scholars’ Association) said, ‘I am delighted that IBSA has just signed this MoU with the BHF. This reinforces our strong commitment towards deepening IBSA’s engagement with an outstanding organisation whose members have their roots from Bengal and India. Our joint vision of working together in areas of mutual interest such as education, culture, the arts and sport will greatly benefit both our membership’
Mr Sourav Niyogi (President – Bengal Heritage Foundation said, “Bengal Heritage Foundation is committed to be the living bridge between UK and Bengal. Our year long activities reflect the human connections we build across UK and Bengal. We are delighted to join hands together with an amazing group of alumni from UK universities. This will further strengthen the connect across UK and Bengal and build upon the years of heritage. I especially thank Mrs Reetasri Ghosh (Head of Programmes, IBSA) for envisioning the collaboration and driving the MOU agreement.”
