ICCR Chair of Indian Studies
Southampton–India ties deepen as University welcomes India Centre’s Inaugural ICCR Chair
Professor Prakash Chand Kandpal, a distinguished scholar from Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi has been appointed as the inaugural ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations) Visiting Professor Chair of Indian Studies at Southampton.
The prestigious Chair, instituted by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, and facilitated by the High Commission of India in the UK, underscores a longstanding commitment to strengthening diplomatic, cultural and academic relations with the United Kingdom.
The establishment of the ICCR Chair is the outcome of a Memorandum of Understanding signed in July 2024 between Vice Chancellor Professor Mark E. Smith and His Excellency Mr. Vikram Doraiswami, High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom. This high-level appointment is strategically aligned with the University’s objective to strengthen and broaden its engagement with India.
Professor Kandpal will commence his initial twelve-month appointment in July 2025. He will be based at the University India Centre, with his primary academic affiliation in the Department of Politics and International Relations. His research areas focus on public administration, governance, and public policy, particularly environmental policy and urban transformation in contemporary India. Professor Kandpal is currently a Senior Professor and Chairperson of the Centre for the Study of Law and Governance at Jawaharlal Nehru University.
Professor Kandpal, reflecting on this strategic ambassadorial appointment, says: “I am truly honoured to join the University of Southampton India Centre as the inaugural ICCR Chair of Indian Studies. This role presents a unique opportunity for me to develop collaborative research addressing critical global challenges such as climate change and governance. I look forward to engaging with students and scholars at Southampton through research, teaching, workshops and public lectures, while championing India’s cultural heritage alongside transformative initiatives such as Viksit Bharat 2047”.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Mark E. Smith CBE, while congratulating the inaugural ICCR Chair, stated: “I warmly welcome Professor Prakash Kandpal to the University of Southampton. This appointment reaffirms our University’s deep commitment in fostering meaningful and mutually beneficial academic exchanges between Southampton and India. I thank the Indian High Commissioner and his team for their unwavering support in facilitating this opportunity as well as the India Centre which continues to engage and inspire our wider community”.
High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom, H.E. Vikram Doraiswami graciously commended the appointment, stating: “The establishment of the ICCR Chair of Indian Studies at the University of Southampton, in collaboration with its India Centre, marks a significant step in strengthening the academic and cultural ties between India and the United Kingdom. This further strengthens the University's link with India, as it represents a fortification of Southampton University's pioneering leadership in deepening education links with India. My colleagues and I are pleased to support this timely initiative, which opens new avenues for deepening mutual understanding and fostering long-term collaboration through research and education.”
Professor Prakash Kandpal may be contacted at PC.Kandpal@soton.ac.uk for academic or research-related inquiries.