Memorandum of Understanding and Rules and Regulations of

"European Association of India Study Centres" (EAISC)

Preamble:

The successful, groundbreaking and inspiring India EU Study Centre Programme (IESCP) lasted from 2009 to 2011. The six India Study Centres established across Europe in the framework of this programme – the centres at the Universities of Aarhus, Bremen, Leiden, Milano, Reutlingen and Warsaw – commend the European Union on its commitment and initiative, which have meant a quantum leap in Indo-European academic relations. We feel that – in view of its resounding success and the ever increasing role and mutual importance of the European Union and India – the programme needs to be continued and deepened in various forms within the European Union and the Association will contribute to it. The centres see the Association as a vital platform for collaboration among scholars from EU member states who work with and on India, but also as a vehicle to cooperate with EU institutions to further enhance the study of India from an EU perspective and with a clear European focus.

1. The European India Study Centres see fit to continue to cooperate on the lines defined during the past two years also after the end of the current IESC Programme. As a first step, they are establishing a sustainable academic network which will operate under the name of European Association of India Study Centres (EAISC).
2. The EAISC members will elect a Chairperson and one Vice-Chairperson after signing the MoU (by simple majority) and the chairpersonship will subsequently rotate in alphabetical order among the member universities. The Vice-Chairperson shall belong to the previous centre holding the chairpersonship. The Chairperson, supported by his/her deputy, will run the current business in the framework of the decisions of the annual meeting (Full Assembly) of its members. He/she will keep the members informed about important developments in Indo-European academic relations and will convene the annual meeting in his/her domestic university.
3. The annual meeting (Full Assembly) will discuss and decide all issues brought up by representatives of member universities and will develop guidelines along which the presidency will operate. Each centre has one vote in all decision-making processes, but might be represented by more than one person. If desired by a majority of members, additional meetings will be held. New members can be co-opted by the Full Assembly if necessary and convenient - with a simple majority of all centres being in favour of it.
4. The objectives of the EAISC are (1) the enhancement and promotion of Indo-European Academic Relations, (2) the establishment of a European academic network serving that purpose, (3) the achievement of synergy effects in research, teaching, administration, exchange of personnel, curricular planning and funding, (4) the representation of common interests vis-à-vis the European Union, (5) specifically the cooperation with Indian Institutions of Higher Education focussing on European Studies.
5. The India Study Centres organised in the EAISC will try to share their expertise concerning India with a view to significantly upgrading India Studies in the European Union. Thus, EAISC seeks
   • to advance education for the public benefit through the promotion of teaching and research in Indian Studies
   • to maintain and foster links between European and Indian universities or institutions and those in other countries as well as with such other bodies as may be thought fit
   • to provide such help as may prove possible towards the promotion of Indian Studies in Europe
   • to foster coordination of teaching and research by all appropriate means including the organizing of meetings and seminars
   • to encourage the dissemination of research findings and to foster debate in Indian Studies by appropriate means including the publication and circulation of papers
   • to encourage the development of the successor generation of teachers and researchers in European Studies.
6. Their focus is Contemporary India in her totality, in particular her Economy and Indo-European Business Studies, her Political and Societal Systems (including her relationship to her neighbours and her role as a global player), her Media Systems and representations of her past in cultural heritage and historical discourse, her Culture and Languages (including Contemporary Literature), her Technological Advancement. Not each and every centre will be able to cover the full gamut of expertise. Hence, each centre will define its own focus and it will cooperate with the others accordingly
7. The centres aim at collaborating in terms of research, development and teaching. This includes joint applications and projects to advance Indian studies particularly on a European level.
8. The centres signing the charter agree on an initial working period of six years for the Association. The annual assembly will decide about the extension after six years. Any extension or annulment of the MoU should be agreed upon by a two third majority.