The Centre for International Relations (CIR) was established in the year 2001 with an objective of strengthening bilateral research and academic programmes of the centres/departments of Anna University with overseas Institutions/Universities through Memorandum of Understanding. The Centre is an autonomous body headed by a Professor and Director with 7 administrative office staff.
The centre facilitates exchange of Students/Faculty members with foreign universities. Through the student exchange programme, the students learn analytical and problem solving skills, language skills, cultural relations and general knowledge. In addition, they learn to improve themselves through the experience of studying and staying in another country. Faculty members exchange information on education and research. In addition to academic publications, the faculty members from both sides explore mutually beneficial collaborative research projects.
The centre also facilitates the conduct of International Joint Seminars / Conferences. International seminars bring faculty members / students globally together and share their knowledge, research experience, country related problems and solutions for them. The Centre organizes special lectures and seminars by professors/experts from various foreign Universities/Institutions. These talks are very much essential for innovation, research & development, to modify or eliminate the existing old technologies. Guidelines to higher education with funding facilities in different countries are also given through these talks.
The centre supports International projects like Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC), UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI) and different schemes of the European Union such as Erasmus Mundus, Erasmus Mundus Action II, Erasmus +, Enhancing Quality Assurance in South Asia (EQASA) and Improving Internationalization Practices in South Asian Higher Education (MERGE) which enhance educational links between India and the foreign Universities/Institutions. This will give opportunities for professional and leadership development of students and faculty members. These type of projects enhance the innovative new ideas, sharing of research or experimental experience based on their research problem.
The centre also conducts foreign language courses such as German, French and Japanese for students, researchers and faculty members to be proficient for higher studies or job opportunities overseas.
The centre invites prominent visitors from various foreign Universities/Institutions to Anna University to discuss about the collaboration possibilities of further strengthening the bilateral academic and research cooperation.
DIRECTOR
CENTRE FOR INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Anna University
Sardar Patel Road, Guindy
Chennai - 600 025, INDIA.
Tel: +91 - 044 - 2235 8561
Email: dircia2011@gmail.com