Students and scholars interested in Poland have a new place in India to study it at the postgraduate and higher level. After Manipal University, the second centre for Polish studies is to be set up at the University of Calcutta in a tie-up with University of Warsaw, the country’s embassy and the
Polish Institute in Delhi announced.
The main objectives of the centre will be the promotion of knowledge about Poland and Europe through study programmes and academic exchanges at different levels, Dr Jakub Zajaczkowski, deputy director for research and international cooperation, Institute of International Relations, University of Warsaw and Shantanu Chakrabarty, vice chancellor, University of Calcutta, explained after the signing of the letter of intent in Kolkata on February 28. (The first letter of intent was signed with Manipal University on February 22, 2013.)
The proposed study programmes will be open to MA, MPhil, and PhD students. Spread over two semesters, the programmes will focus on Polish society, culture, politics, economy, foreign policy, and Poland’s ties with India and South Asia.
Scholarships are expected to be announced for young scholars interested in conducting innovative research on Poland. At present, two Indian universities - Delhi University (department of Slavonic and Finno-Ugrian studies) and Banaras Hindu University - offer courses in the Polish language.
The Centre for Polish and Central European Studies will be housed at the University of Calcutta’s Institute of Foreign Policy Studies.