A significant milestone in India–Israel academic cooperation was marked today with the signing of an agreement between the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and Tel Aviv University (TAU) to establish the ICCR-TAU India Chair. The first initiative of its kind in Israel, the ICCR-TAU India Chair will enable TAU to host leading Indian scholars annually across a range of academic fields, made possible through generous sponsorship from ICCR.
H.E. Mr. JP Singh, Ambassador of India to Israel, visited Tel Aviv University to formalize the agreement. During his visit, the Ambassador met with TAU President Prof. Ariel Porat, as well as members of the TAU faculty and administration involved in advancing academic cooperation with India and held an open discussion with Indian students currently studying at TAU.
The meeting focused on strengthening research collaborations with leading Indian institutions in priority areas, advancing India awareness and cultural exchange, and developing joint academic programs for research students within the framework of India’s National Education Policy (NEP).
During the discussions, TAU President Prof. Ariel Porat proposed the establishment of a new Forum on Innovations & Education, designed to serve as a platform for direct dialogue between leading universities in Israel and India. The proposal received immediate support from Ambassador Singh. “TAU’s mission is to serve as a gateway to Israeli science and academic expertise for Indian academic partners, and as a gateway to India for Israeli researchers and students in terms of cultural exchange and beyond,” said Prof. Milette Shamir, TAU’s Vice President International.
Mr. Konstantin Platonov, TAU’s Director for Asia Engagement, added: “Indian research students are the second-largest cohort of foreign students at TAU and a thriving community. We have a long tradition of welcoming students from India; they feel comfortable and safe on our campus, and they build strong connections with our professors. By inaugurating the ICCR-TAU India Chair at TAU and establishing the TAU India Hub in Delhi for permanent in-country representation, we are taking our engagement with Indian students, research partners, and other stakeholders to the next level.” Platonov recently returned from a visit to India with Prof. Shamir.
The establishment of the ICCR-TAU India Chair represents a major step forward in strengthening academic ties between India and Israel and reflects the growing importance of collaborative research, cultural exchange, and international engagement between the two countries.
Written in collaboration with Tel Aviv University