Press Release

November 12, 2003

Jadavpur University is the First Indian University to earn SYLFF status and receive an endowment of one million US dollars (US$1,000,000) from the Nippon Foundation.

Mr.Yohei Sasakawa, President of the Nippon Foundation formally awards the 67th SYLFF endowment to Jadavpur University on November 12, 2003.

Starting from 1987 as of now, there are 68 SYLFF endowed universities and consortia in 45 countries of Africa, Asia, Central and South America, Europe and Middle East, North America, Pacific. There are now more than 8500 fellows world wide.

RYOICHI SASAKAWA YOUNG LEADERS FELLOWSHIP FUND (SYLFF) is fellowship programme of The Nippon Foundation, a Japanese non-profit foundation administered by Tokyo Foundation under the approval of Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

50th year of Indo-Japanese cooperation was in 2002 when Tokyo Foundation first visited Jadavpur University in response to a proactive invitation sent out in 2001.

Designated SYLFF Project director at Jadavpur University initiates, designs, expands the research network within the proposed focus of the programme. Steering committee under the chairmanship of the Vice-Chancellor of Jadavpur University are responsible for the management of the programme and operations of the Fund.

It provides a unique opportunity for students in Social Sciences and Humanities. Beneficiaries of the programme are the bright students intending to pursue higher education in social sciences and humanities and exhibits leadership potential.

The objective of the Programme at Jadavpur University is to support the education of students enrolled in MA and M.Phil. and those intending to join Ph.D degree programs in the Faculty of Arts at Jadavpur University with high potential for leadership in national, regional and international affairs, in public life as well as in private endeavors, by awarding fellowships from the interest earning.

These fellowships will be awarded to students whose studies focus on the broad theme, Tradition, Social Change and Sustainable Development and adopts a Holistic Approach., that is, any issue or problem relevant to contemporary Indian society.

Recipients become a part of the global partnership programme through SYLFF fellowship programme and several follow up programmes: Fellows’ Mobility Programme (FMP), SYLFF Prize, SYLFF Network Programme (SNP). FMP awards will be for enrolled SYLFF fellows to pursue study and research for not more than one year at another SYLFF institution. SYLFF prize winners will be invited to Japan for two weeks. Under SNP, SYLFF fellows will have opportunities to start up university based associations primarily to facilitate networking and collaboration among SYLFF fellows, institutions, Tokyo Foundation’s Scholarship Division and pursue activities to fulfill the vision and purpose of the programme.

Professor A.N. Basu, Vice-Chancellor, Jadavpur University, Kolkata: 700 032